HM Treasury

Treasury: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Simon Kirby: The department’s spend on procurement for each financial year since 2010 can be found in the Annual Report and Accounts published at Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-annual-report

Taxation

Tulip Siddiq: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of planned changes to the IR35 tax system on the number of agency workers employed by the NHS.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of planned changes to the IR35 tax system on the average take-home pay of agency workers employed by the NHS.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with (a) NHS executives and (b) other health professionals on planned changes to the IR35 tax system.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on extending planned changes to the IR35 tax system to cover private sector employees.

Jane Ellison: The Government does not have an estimate for the effect of the changes to off-payroll working (IR35) on the number of agency workers in the NHS. The changes apply equally to those engaged directly, and those engaged through an agency. These changes do not introduce any new tax or national insurance liabilities. Those compliant with the current rules should receive broadly the same pay after deductions for tax and national insurance contributions that they do now. The Government has consulted widely since the changes were announced at Budget 2016. HM Revenue and Customs arranged specific events to support the healthcare sector to understand and plan for these changes. Both NHS executives and other health professionals have taken part in the government’s consultation events. The Government has no current plans to extend these changes to the private sector, but keeps all taxes under review.

Treasury: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within his Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

Mr David Gauke: As set out in the recent White Paper (The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union), the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States our future status and arrangements with regard to EU agencies. It would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of the negotiations.

Brexit

Mr Nick Clegg: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate has been made of the proportion of civil service operating costs that are allocated to matters relating to the UK's departure from the EU.

Mr David Gauke: The Government is united in its ambition to deliver a successful exit from the European Union. All departments are therefore working hard to identify the resources required and reallocate to this priority area. There is currently no estimate of the proportion of civil service operating costs reallocated to EU exit matters, as individual departments are responsible for managing their own budgets. Additional resource has been provided to DExEU to support the re-negotiation of the UK’s relationship with the EU, as well as to DIT and FCO to strengthen trade policy capability.

Revenue and Customs: Welsh Language

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps are being taken to ensure HM Revenue and Customs will be able to deliver Welsh language services in North Wales after the closure of its Porthmadog call centre and Wrexham tax office.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) Porthmadog call centre and Wrexham tax office on HMRCs' ability to carry out its duties in the Welsh language (a) in general and (b) in relation to compliance.

Jane Ellison: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not anticipate an adverse impact on its ability to deliver any of its services in the Welsh language, including compliance activities, as a result of the locations programme. While HMRC plans to exit its building in Porthmadog, it will continue to have a Welsh Language Customer Services Team. It remains committed to providing services in Welsh for its Welsh speaking customers and maintaining the quality of these services in future. HMRC is working with the Department for Work and Pensions as its selected partner and, subject to commercial property negotiations, they expect to be able to continue to provide a service from North Wales. The HMRC office in Wrexham is scheduled to close by 2021. The staff in this office are not part of the Welsh language unit. HMRC will also continue to have a Welsh language team based in Cardiff.

Taxation: Scotland

Roger Mullin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Scottish Limited Partnerships registered in the 2012-13 financial year did not file a tax return in 2014-15.

Roger Mullin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Scottish Limited Partnerships did not file a tax return in financial years (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15.

Roger Mullin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Scottish Limited Partnerships registered in the 2011-12 financial year did not file a tax return in 2013-14.

Jane Ellison: The information requested is not centrally collated and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Aviation: Fuels

Sir Roger Gale: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the tax on aviation gasoline.

Jane Ellison: The Government levies no duty on aviation gasoline when used in international flights, consistent with international conventions. When used in other ways aviation gasoline is levied at £0.3770 per litre. As with all taxes the Government keeps this under review.

Housing Infrastructure Fund

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2016 to Question 55287, on Housing Infrastructure Fund, when further details will be sent out regarding that fund including when local authorities will be able to apply for funding; and when funding will be received by those authorities that apply to that fund successfully.

Mr David Gauke: The £2.3bn Housing Infrastructure Fund, announced at Autumn Statement, will be used to deliver infrastructure, such as new roads and utility networks, to unlock up to 100,000 homes in high demand areas. The fund will open to bids from local authorities in the areas of greatest housing need later this year, and will be competitively allocated to ensure that we fund the right infrastructure in the right places. Further detail will be set out by the Department for Communities and Local Government in due course.

Foreign Exchange

Martyn Day: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress the Government has made on bringing greater transparency to foreign currency transactions.

Martyn Day: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the Government will take steps to make currency conversion fully transparent in forthcoming payment services regulations.

Simon Kirby: A competitive and transparent financial services sector is vital to ensuring that the UK economy delivers for consumers and businesses. As with all policy areas, the Government continues to keep transparency of foreign exchange fees under review, and is currently conducting research on the effects of this on consumer decisions to inform its policy approach. The Government is also currently consulting on its draft regulations for the implementation of the Second Payment Services Directive and will respond in due course.

Prime Minister

Domestic Visits: Yorkshire and the Humber

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Prime Minister, what plans she has to visit Yorkshire.

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Prime Minister, on what occasions she has visited Yorkshire since she assumed office.

Mrs Theresa May: I visit all parts of the United Kingdom regularly. Details of my visits within the United Kingdom are published on the gov.uk website.

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Caroline Nokes: Procurement spend in each financial year from 2010: YearProcurement Spend2010/11£4,153m2011/12£3,337m2012/13£3,330m2013/14£3,157m2014/15£3,334m2015/16£3,030m Source: DWP procurement system

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2017 to Question 64657, how many mandatory reconsiderations of personal independence payments were (a) contested by his Department at the appeal stage and (b) overturned at the appeal stage due to a decision not to contest the appeal during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Penny Mordaunt: We do not hold information for the same 12 month period for Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) and appeals. In the period November 2015 to October 2016, 263,400 Personal Independent Payment (PIP) MRs were registered. During that same period, 39,700 decisions were revised. In the period October 2015 – September 2016, 61,517 PIP appeals were heard and decided, of which 39,292 were in the claimant’s favour.

Social Security Benefits: Automated Credit Transfer

Mr Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the savings accrued to the public purse as a result of the change from cash payment to direct payment into bank accounts and the Post Office Card Account of benefits since that change came into effect.

Caroline Nokes: DWP is committed to battling financial exclusion and is offering support to help more customers move into banking. We have interpreted this question to be about the change from Order Books and Cheque payments. There has been a considerable reduction in method of payment costs, however, detailed information on the savings accrued is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Personal Independence Payment

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how long the training programme is for a personal independence payment assessor.

Penny Mordaunt: All Health Professionals (HPs) working on the delivery of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments must be either an occupational therapist, level 1 nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic or doctor. They must also be fully registered and have at least two years’ post full-registration experience. In addition to their profession, the Department recognises the importance of ensuring that individuals also have sufficient experience, skills and training to carry out their duties and PIP providers are required to ensure that the HPs carrying out assessments have knowledge of the clinical aspects and likely functional effects of a wide range of health conditions and impairments. All new assessors complete one month of intensive training in disability analysis which includes a functional evaluation as to how medical conditions and the long-term medical treatment of those conditions affect an individual’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. This is followed by on-going professional training and support which continues for the duration of their employment in the role. Final approval to work as a health assessor must be conferred by the Department for Work and Pension’s Chief Medical Adviser on behalf of the Secretary of State.

Disability: Employment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his Department has made since May 2015 in reducing the disability employment gap.

Penny Mordaunt: This Government is committed to its ambition to halve the disability employment gap and enable disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to access all the benefits that work can bring. The latest data shows that since 2015, almost 300,000 more working age disabled people are in employment and the disability employment rate has increased by almost 3 percentage points, now standing at 50 per cent. Over the same time we have seen improvements in the disability employment gap which now stands at around 31 percentage points, down from just below 34 percentage points in the same period in 2015. But we know that there is much more that needs to be done, so that everyone who can work is given the right support and opportunities to do so. Improving Lives, the Work, Health and Disability Green Paper published on 31st October 2016 sets out the short-term action we intend to take to bring about change. It also asked questions on ideas for longer-term reform over this Parliament and beyond through a formal national consultation, so that our systems, sectors and social attitudes all work together to help achieve the ambition of halving the disability employment gap. The consultation closed on 17th February 2017. We are grateful to the many individuals and organizations who have submitted responses. We will now consider these carefully as we plan next steps on this important agenda.

Universal Credit

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the latest annual percentage change was in the claimant court in areas operating universal credit (a) full service and (b) live service; and what reasons he ascribes to the difference in the change in the claimant count between full service and live service areas.

Damian Hinds: The latest claimant count data is for January 2017. The cumulative claimant count figure for the offices operating Full Service increased by 25.5% in the 12 months to January 2017. The remaining offices operating Live Service saw an overall fall of 1.5% in the count over the same period. Universal Credit will tend to increase the claimant count because it extends our support to find work to claimants who have never received this support before. For example, people who, in the past, only claimed Child Tax Credit or Housing Benefit (and not Jobseekers Allowance) and now will claim Universal Credit, will be helped to prepare for and look for work. So will partners of Universal Credit claimants. The roll out of this support is more advanced in Full Service areas, and as we bring these people onto Universal Credit, it is to be expected that the claimant count will be higher than it would otherwise have been.

Home Office

Female Genital Mutilation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the number of cases of female genital mutilation in the UK.

Sarah Newton: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a crime and it is child abuse. The Government will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls. That is why our work to end this practice is an integral part of the Government’s 2016-2020 Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.We are taking action to ensure women and girls who have undergone FGM receive the care and support they need, deter potential perpetrators and identify and protect girls at risk. We have significantly strengthened the law on FGM, including introducing a new offence of failing to protect a girl from FGM and creating civil FGM Protection Orders to ensure we are able to protect women and girls at the earliest opportunity. These are already being used to good effect and since their introduction in July 2015, 79 FGM protection orders have been issued.It is also necessary to raise awareness amongst frontline professionals to ensure they are able to effectively identify girls who may have undergone the procedure and those at risk. In April 2016 we published statutory multi-agency guidance on FGM to support professionals when responding to potential cases and to take necessary preventative action. We have developed free online training on FGM which, to date, has been completed by nearly 90,000 professionals, and the Home Office FGM Unit is driving a step-change in national outreach on FGM, including speaking at a number of awareness raising events across the UK.In addition, significant work is under way to improve the response from health and social care professionals. The Department of Health is leading a £4m national FGM Prevention Programme, and, to strengthen the social care response, the Department for Education has provided nearly £2 million for a national programme backed by Barnardo’s and the Local Government Association. The Department for Education has also recently announced funding for FGM organisations FORWARD and Midaye Somali Development Network to help safeguard girls from FGM.

Electronic Funds Transfer: Fraud

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Joint Fraud Taskforce has made an assessment of the scale of authorised push payment fraud in the UK; and what steps that taskforce is taking to tackle such fraud.

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Joint Fraud Taskforce is taking to help consumers affected by authorised push payment scams.

Mr Ben Wallace: The threat posed by frauds enabled by social engineering, such as authorised push payments frauds, is one this Government takes very seriously. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics data showed there were 3.6m fraud offences against individuals in the year to September 2016, as estimated by the Crime Survey for England and Wales. The statistics are presented in terms of fraud type (for example ‘bank and credit card fraud’, ‘advanced fee fraud’, etc.) rather than by the method used to commit the fraud.Through the Joint Fraud Taskforce we are taking steps to ensure that individuals, including the most vulnerable and susceptible are protected from all types of frauds. The Taskforce is: investing in a nationwide fraud prevention campaign ‘Take 5’, funded by the financial sector and Government, so that individuals know how to act when faced by a fraudster to avoid being scammed; introducing a BSI standard so that victims receive a consistent victim care response, closely linked to their individual needs; and, exploring ways in which more stolen funds could be repatriated back to the victims of fraud, stopping the money from getting into the hands of the criminal.Finally, the Taskforce is also working with the Payment Service Regulator (PSR) following its response to the Which? Super-complaint asking for greater protections for victims of push payment frauds. The PSR will continue to drive forward the programme of work it has developed to better protect consumers and increase awareness of payment scams.

Rape

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of whether there will be a change in the number of rape victims who will come forward to report rape crimes as a result of the forthcoming introduction of the non-consensual sex exemption clause for claiming child tax credits for a third child.

Sarah Newton: It will not be necessary for victims of rape to report a crime in order to qualify for the exemption. As the Government outlined in the response on 20 January 2017 those entitled to claim the exception will be able to disclose their non-consensual intercourse to a third party.The list of third parties used for the non-consensual sex exception will include health care professionals, social workers and relevant specialist charities. The model is not attempting to pre-empt the criminal justice system and therefore does not include police in the third party model.When a report has already been made, the exception will also apply where there is a successful conviction or award of compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for rape occurring at a time when the child’s conception might have resulted

Home Office: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within her Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Home Office is working closely with The Department for Exiting the European Union to prepare for exiting the European Union. The Department for Exiting the European Union has overall responsibility of overseeing preparations for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.Home Office staff actively work with relevant EU agencies and bodies. There is no centrally held record on the amount of time or financial resources the Home Office spends on engagement with relevant EU agencies and bodies.

Refugees: Children

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many officials of her Department have worked in Calais to support unaccompanied children in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17 to date.

Mr Robert Goodwill: At various points during the Calais camp clearances in 2016/17 the Government had over 200 staff supporting the deployment, including specialist social workers and interpreters, as well as officials seconded to the French Interior Ministry. In 2016 we transferred over 900 unaccompanied minors to the UK from Europe, including more than 750 from France, as part of the UK’s support for the Calais camp clearance.We introduced the National Transfer Scheme in July 2016, underpinned by powers in the Immigration Act 2016. The Scheme makes it easier to transfer legal responsibility for unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children from one local authority to another. The National Transfer Scheme has been working well since its launch in July 2016 and has successfully transferred unaccompanied children away from local authorities whose children’s services are under pressure, ensuring that vulnerable young people are getting the support they need. The National Transfer Scheme has also enabled many of the unaccompanied children transferred from France under the Dubs amendment to be placed with local authorities where they are now receiving the support they need. Additionally, to support the National Transfer Scheme, the Government significantly increased the funding we provide to local authorities who look after unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Refugees: Children

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to work with other EU member states on improving protection for unaccompanied children at risk of trafficking or exploitation.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The UK has established the £10 million Refugee Children’s Fund which is providing targeted support to meet the specific needs of unaccompanied and separated children migrating through Greece and other transit countries. The fund is providing additional and improved safe accommodation spaces for children, with 24hr care and specialist support. The fund also provides specialist training for officials and volunteers as well as legal support and advice.We are working internationally to help prevent vulnerable people from becoming victims. The Prime Minister pledged £33.5m of official development assistance funding, to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice by working in partnership with key countries. The PM Taskforce is also making progress bringing the collective weight of Government to bear. We are already seeing progress in intelligence gathering and are developing our international strategy to tackle the threat overseas and deepen law enforcement cooperation. This will enable us to investigate, prosecute and otherwise disrupt the activity of slave-drivers and traffickers of human beings. We also work closely with Europol and Eurojust to facilitate cross-border operations and joint investigations with European law enforcement agencies.

Travel Requirements: Kosovo

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many travel documents were issued (a) in total and (b) to Kosovo nationals in (i) 2014, (ii) 2015 and (iii) 2016.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Home Office publishes data on the number of travel documents issued in the Asylum Transparency Data Tables which are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-transparency-data-february-2017

Brexit

Mr Nick Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what contingency plans are in place for a situation in which no deal is reached with the EU on (a) extradition, (b) surveillance and (c) data exchange.

Brandon Lewis: We are committed to ongoing cooperation with the EU on security and law enforcement. Our relationship with the EU will change as a result of leaving the EU but the details of our participation in practical cooperation measures that currently facilitate cooperation will be subject to negotiations.It is too early to speculate at this stage what future arrangements may look like but we will do what is necessary to keep people safe.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Mr Nick Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications made by EU citizens for permanent residency in the UK have been rejected in each of the last 12 months on the basis of insufficient health insurance provisions.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The information requested is not collated on centrally held statistical databases and could only be produced at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.Applications for documentation certifying permanent residence are refused where they do not meet the requirements set out in EU law in the Free Movement Directive. The Free Movement Directive is clear that those who wish to rely on periods of residence as a student or self-sufficient person must have held comprehensive sickness insurance in order for their residence to count towards permanent residence status.

Immigration Controls

Mr Nick Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken is to process an individual arriving at a UK port or airport from (a) within the EU and (b) outside the EU.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Migration Statistics Quarterly Report (MSQR), which provides a quarterly summary of long-term international migration statistics, includes data relating to general refusals at the UK border.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=border-force&publication_type=transparency-data

Home Office: Scotland

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to meet with Ministers of the Scottish Government.

Sarah Newton: It is important that the Home Office engages with the Scottish Government, and Ministers will be meeting in the coming months. The department does not however publish the arrangements for such meetings in advance.

Visas: Married People

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review immigration rules for spouse visas.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Supreme Court endorsed our approach in setting a minimum income threshold for sponsoring a spouse visa in its judgment in MM (Lebanon) & Others on 22 February 2017.This requirement prevents burdens on the taxpayer and ensures migrant families can integrate into our communities. We are carefully considering what the Court has said in relation to cases involving children and to exceptional cases where the income threshold has not been met.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing EU citizens to register and have processed through local authorities their permanent right to stay in the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robert Goodwill: At present the UK remains in the EU, and as such, EU nationals continue to be subject to the rights and responsibilities set out in existing legislation which governs the exercise of free movement in the UK.There are a number of options as to how EU migration might work once we have left. We are considering various options and it would be wrong to set out further positions at this stage.

Visas: India

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visa officers are employed at the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai; and how many such officers were employed at that Commission in (a) 2010 and (b) 2015.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Decision making on the majority of visa applications submitted in Western India was transferred from Mumbai to Delhi in a gradual process that started in 2014. The movement of work has led to a reduction in the number of visa officers (in this context taken to mean Entry Clearance Officers) in Mumbai over this period. The movement of work is part of UKVI’s global ‘hub and spoke’ model which maximises operational flexibility while ensuring excellent customer service and value for money to the taxpayer. These logistical changes relate to the decision making function for applications and do not affect customers applying for their visas or the service offered. The official statistics for 2016 show that 99% of visa decisions were made within UKVI’s 15 working day service standard.

Forensic Science

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will monitor the average time it takes for the police to receive the result of a request to have evidence forensically analysed.

Brandon Lewis: Forensic analysis of evidence is undertaken both in police laboratories and by a number of private sector laboratories. Contractual arrangements or service level agreements between each police force and their forensic service provider and the length of time it takes for forensic evidence to be analysed, are operational matters for the Chief Constable of that force.As such, the Home Office will not be monitoring the average time it takes for the police to receive the results of requests to have evidence forensically analysed.

Home Office: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the procurement spend of her Department was in each year since 2010.

Sarah Newton: This information is published in the Home Office’s Annual Report and Accounts for the period 2010-11 to 2014-15. Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts are available in the House library.

Deportation: Scotland

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many deportation charter flights there have been from Scotland to other countries in the last 12 months; and on what dates those flights took place.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There have been no charter flight operations from Scotland to other countries in the past 12 months.

Immigration

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce a fully online application process for permanent residency in the UK.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There is no requirement to register for documentation to confirm this status. As part of an ongoing programme to digitise all applications for current immigration routes, the Home Office expanded its online service for those applying for documents confirming residence under the EEA regulations. The online service, which has been open to single applicants exercising treaty rights from the EU since October, has allowed applicants to apply on behalf of family members at the same time since the start of February.The European Passport Return Service, offered via participating local authorities, supports the online application service and enables people to retain their original passport whilst their application is considered.

Immigration: EEA Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2017 to Question 64102, on immigration and EU nationals, how many of the documents certifying permanent residence and permanent residence cards refused in Quarter 3 2016 were (a) issued to European Economic Area nationals and (b) accompanied with refusal letters including the instruction to recipients to make preparations to leave the UK.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Statistics on applications for Documents Certifying Permanent Residence issued to European Economic Area (EEA) nationals are published quarterly in table ee_02_q of the Immigration Statistics. These cover the period up to September 2016 and include data for grants, refusals and invalid applications (hence rejected). The most recent edition (European Economic Area data tables Immigration Statistics July to September 2016) is available athttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/572387/eea-q3-2016-tables.ods.

Overseas Students

Christina Rees: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the feasibility of extracting figures on the number of international students from overall migration numbers.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The independent Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for the net migration statistics.In line with best international practice the ONS includes international students in net migration calculations. International students who stay for longer than 12 months, like other migrants, have an impact on communities, infrastructure and services while they are here.

Domestic Violence

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of provision of services for (a) BAME and (b) LGBT victims of domestic abuse.

Sarah Newton: The Government's Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, published on 8 March 2016, sets out the importance of meeting the needs of LGBT and BME victims and survivors of VAWG, who may experience additional barriers to accessing support.We have committed increased funding of £80 million between 2016 and 2020 to protect women and girls from violence and we are supporting local areas to improve local commissioning through the publication of a new National Statement of Expectations and supporting commissioning guidance which captures the importance of identifying and addressing the needs of LGBT and BME victims.We are also funding the charity Imkaan to build capacity in the BME women’s sector and Galop to run a dedicated national helpline to provide emotional and practical support for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse.

Northern Ireland Office

Detainees: Northern Ireland

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he has taken to investigate allegations on Channel 4's Dispatches programme of 4 February 2017 that members of the armed forces and the RUC were involved in waterboarding detained persons in Northern Ireland in 1972.

James Brokenshire: The UK unreservedly condemns the use of torture or inhuman treatment. We work hard with our international partners to eradicate this abhorrent practice. We have consistently made clear our absolute opposition to torture and our determination to combat it wherever and whenever it occurs. Preventing torture and tackling impunity for those who torture are essential components of safeguarding our security and are integral to a fair legal system and the rule of law. The UK abides by its commitments under international law and expects all countries to comply with their international legal obligations. The UK Government, including the intelligence and security agencies, never uses torture for any purpose, including to obtain information. As in any circumstances, if anyone has evidence of any wrongdoing, that should be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities for investigation.

Northern Ireland Office: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within his Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

Kris Hopkins: As set out in the recent White Paper (The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union), the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States our future status and arrangements with regard to EU agencies. It would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of the negotiations.

Northern Ireland Office: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Kris Hopkins: The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Department of Health

Flour: Folic Acid

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department's policy is on mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid.

Nicola Blackwood: The Government is convinced that increasing folic acid intake of women who are either planning to get pregnant or are pregnant is the right course for the health and development of the unborn baby. It has therefore looked carefully at the evidence for mandatory fortification of flour. On balance, the Government decided that this is not the right way forward and therefore has no plans to introduce it for England. The Government recommends that, whatever their age, women who are either planning to get pregnant, or who are pregnant, should take a 400 microgram folic acid supplement before and during the early days of pregnancy.

Department of Health: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

David Mowat: Department of Health cash based procurement spend in each financial year 2010-11 to 2015-16 is reported in the following table: Financial year£ million2010-11£391.22011-12£559.82012-13£601.62013-14£404.12014-15£403.12015-16£520.4 Department of Health spend is reported in line with the Crown Commercial Service category spend classification for the procurement of all goods and services.

Dementia

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that there is adequate funding for social care for people with dementia.

David Mowat: The Government is committed to implementing the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020, published in 2015.We are giving local authorities access to an extra £3.5 billion for adult social care by 2020.In the Local Government Finance Settlement, we brought forward access to £900 million of additional funding for social care over the next two years through the Social Care Precept and Adult Social Care Support Grant.Taken together with the funding announced in Spending Review 2015, these changes mean that local government will have access to the funding it needs to increase social care spending every year in this Parliament.

Dementia

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of hospital beds occupied by people with dementia in each of the last 12 months.

David Mowat: This information is not held centrally.

Diabetes

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many clinical commissioning groups have applied for Wave 2 funding under the Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what has been the (a) total cost and (b) cost of each contract given to bodies implementing the Diabetes Prevention Programme to date.

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which areas bid for funding via the Diabetes Transformation Fund.

Nicola Blackwood: 73 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) applied for Wave 2 funding under the diabetes prevention programme. Their bids were made as part of collaborative arrangements involving several CCGs, and not all CCGs will implement the programme at the same pace.The estimated total cost of implementing the diabetes prevention programme to date, covering the wave 1 areas, is £12 million. Actual payments are dependent on the performance of providers. The details of these contracts are shown in the attached table. Contracts for Wave 2 are due to be approved and awarded in March 2017.The attached table shows the lead CCGs that have applied for diabetes transformation funding for any of the following interventions (this does not include details of all CCGs that are involved with bids, as in some cases many CCGs collaborated to deliver a project):- improving uptake of structured education for people with diabetes;- improving the achievement of the treatment targets recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence;- new or expanded multi-disciplinary footcare teams; and- new or expanded diabetes inpatient specialist nursing services.



PQ65590 attached table 1
(Excel SpreadSheet, 16.46 KB)




PQ65590 attached table 2
(Excel SpreadSheet, 16.88 KB)

Health Services: EU Nationals

Mr Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government has taken to comply with EU law since the launch of infringement proceedings against the UK under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU on 11 June 2011, with respect to the entitlement to treatment by the NHS of EU citizens resident in the UK.

Mr Philip Dunne: In terms of the infringement proceedings referred to, the United Kingdom Government has corresponded with the Commission and we are satisfied that we are compliant with European Union law in that respect.

Drugs: Internet

Kevin Hollinrake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to regulate the online sale of (a) antibiotics and (b) other medicine.

Nicola Blackwood: In the United Kingdom, there are legal controls on the retail sale, supply and advertising of medicines which are set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. These apply without distinction to medicines advertised, sold or supplied through the internet. This means that Prescription Only (POM) and Pharmacy medicines (P) can only be sold or supplied at registered pharmacy premises by, or under the supervision of, a pharmacist. Furthermore, POMs can only be sold or supplied in accordance with a prescription from a doctor, dentist or relevant healthcare professional. POMs cannot be advertised to the general public. The vast majority of antibiotics are only available as POM for supply only under the supervision of a suitably qualified healthcare professional. Websites offering to supply POMs without a relevant prescription are in breach of UK legal requirements and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency will investigate and take appropriate action including criminal investigation and prosecution.

Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the NHS Digital data for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies for November 2016, what information his Department holds on why (a) people who were referred for treatment did not enter treatment and (b) people who entered treatment did not finish the course.

Nicola Blackwood: NHS England does not collect information centrally on the reasons why people who are referred for treatment do not enter treatment, or may not complete a course of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) treatment. However, NHS England has sought views from the national IAPT clinical advisor and the IAPT team (including the intensive support team) as to why people may drop out after assessment. NHS England use this information as part of their ongoing programme of continuous improvement of IAPT services.

Blood: Contamination

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many documents the Independent Public Inquiry on NHS Supplied Contaminated Blood and Blood Products by Lord Archer of Sandwell QC requested from his Department; how many of these requests were (a) accepted and (b) rejected; and how many documents submitted contained redacted information.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department co-operated with Lord Archer’s Inquiry. Over 5,500 official documents were shared with the Inquiry. In addition, Departmental officials met with the Inquiry team several times to talk them through the documentation. Any redacted documents provided to the Inquiry will have been redacted in line with standard Freedom of Information practice. All documents up to 1995 were made available through the National Archive in 2016, in line with the Public Records Act on the retention and release of official files.

Blood: Contamination

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many documents did the 2015 Penrose Inquiry on contaminated blood in Scotland request from his Department; how many of these requests were (a) accepted and (b) rejected; and how many documents submitted contained redacted information.

Nicola Blackwood: Although the Department was not called to provide witnesses to the Penrose Inquiry, we cooperated fully with Lord Penrose’s requests for documentary evidence, and the Departmental evidence that Lord Penrose used is referenced in his final report. Lord Penrose published the report of his public inquiry into infections acquired in Scotland on 25 March 2015. Nothing was withheld. All documents up to 1995 are available through the National Archive. Any redacted documents provided to the Inquiry will have been redacted in line with standard practice to protect personal information and with current Freedom of Information requirements.

Nurses: Pay

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to abolish the one per cent cap on pay rises for nurses.

Mr Philip Dunne: The pay cap applies across the public sector not just to nurses working in the National Health Service. At summer budget 2015 the Government announced a four year public sector pay cap at an average of 1% from 2016/17 to 2019/20. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that this policy will protect 200,000 public sector jobs overall by the end of this Parliament. The Government has no plans to remove the public sector pay cap. Average earnings for qualified nurses (including midwives) were £31,214 in the 12 months to June 2016, a slight increase from the same time in 2015 and similar to the £31,189 figure for the NHS as a whole, which remains well above the national average salary for 2015 of £27,500 a year. The NHS is one of few in the public sector that operate incremental pay systems. Around half of the nursing workforce is eligible for incremental pay of around 3% on average. A typical nurse employed under Agenda for Change at pay band 5 is eligible for seven years of incremental pay equivalent to 3.8% per year on average on top of annual pay awards.

Blood: Contamination

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of documents related to contaminated blood which were previously disclosed to (a) litigants, (b) the 2009 Independent Public Inquiry on NHS Supplied Contaminated Blood and Blood Products, (c) the 2015 Penrose Inquiry into contaminated blood in Scotland and (d) used to inform his Department's report on Self-Sufficiency in Blood Products in England and Wales published in 2007 are (i) currently readily accessible to members of the public without the use of Freedom of Information legislation and (ii) have been disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department has released a large quantity of relevant papers for inspection by Parliamentarians and the public. Documents covering the period from 1970 to 1985 were published in 2007 and 2009, in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All relevant documents on blood safety for the period up to 1995 are now available on the National Archives website, having gone live in March 2016. It is not possible to separately identify the proportion of documents disclosed for the various purposes requested.

Blood: Contamination

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether all documents (a) disclosed in previous legal cases and (b) used for previous Departmental reports into contaminated blood were provided to (i) the Independent Public Inquiry on NHS Supplied Contaminated Blood and Blood Products and (ii) the 2008-2015 Penrose Inquiry on contaminated blood in Scotland.

Nicola Blackwood: The Department cooperated with Lord Archer and Lord Penrose’s requests for documentary evidence, and the Departmental evidence that Lord Penrose used is referenced in his final report.

Blood: Contamination

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the statement by the Minister of State for NHS Delivery in HL Deb, 19 April 2006, column 1054, how many papers were destroyed in error; and what proportion of the relevant documents from 1973 were available to inform the report on self-sufficiency.

Nicola Blackwood: Over 4,000 documents on blood safety that were available for the period 1970-85 and informed the self-sufficiency report, were published on the Department’s website in 2007. Over 550 further, from the same period, were published in 2009. Regrettably, some advisory committee papers from the period 1989 and 1992 were inadvertently destroyed some years ago. Many earlier papers that were recalled from departmental files for HIV litigation purposes in the early 1990s were also inadvertently destroyed, but copies later recovered from the firm of solicitors acting for the claimants have been published electronically via the Department’s website. It is not possible therefore to say with certainty the proportion of all the earlier documents that were available to inform the 2007 self sufficiency report.All available documents including those from 1986 to 1995 are now available through the National Archive.

Blood: Contamination

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to his Department's report entitled Self-Sufficiency in Blood Products in England and Wales, published in 2007, (a) how many documents were able to be accessed, (b) how many full-time equivalent staff were employed and (c) what the cost was in producing that report.

Nicola Blackwood: Four pdf files of relevant official documents were released with “Self-sufficiency in blood products in England and Wales: a chronology from 1973 to 1991” in 2007. Over 4,000 documents were placed on the Department’s website in 2007 and more than 550 were published in 2009 and as more documents were identified or reviewed they were also released. We do not hold information about how many full-time equivalent staff were employed or what the cost was at that time in producing the report “Self-sufficiency in blood products in England and Wales: a chronology from 1973 to 1991”.

Blood: Contamination

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to page 15 of his Department's report of Self-Sufficiency in Blood Products in England and Wales, published in 2007, what year in the 1970s his Department became aware of the higher risks of infection for commercially-supplied blood products.

Nicola Blackwood: By the early 1980s, although there was some evidence that plasma concentrates carried a risk of transmitting hepatitis C, international experts, at the time, were divided in their views about the infection risk associated with blood, especially clotting factors which were made from pooled donations. Hepatitis C was then thought to be a mild and often asymptomatic infection. By mid 1980s the risks became better understood and measures to assure the safety and quality of human blood and blood components and blood products manufactured became available. All the historical evidence of the time was carefully and clearly evaluated in Lord Penrose’s report published in March 2015.

Commissioning Support Units

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Answer of 29 January 2016 to Question HL5111, on commissioning support units, whether NHS England's Commissioning Committee has published its review on its policy on the autonomy of commissioning support units.

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2016 to Question HL5111, whether NHS England's Commissioning Committee has ensured that its policy on Commissioning Support Units is consistent with the requirements of Sustainability and Transformation Plans.

David Mowat: No formal decision has yet been taken by the Commissioning Committee on the autonomy of Commissioning Support Units.

Department of Health: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within his Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

David Mowat: Nothing has yet been decided on whether the United Kingdom will withdraw from European Union agencies and other organisations. This will be a matter for the negotiations. Until we have left the EU, the UK will remain a member of the EU with all of the rights and obligations that membership entails. We do not centrally collate information about staff time or financial resources spent on engagement with those bodies.

Mental Health Services: Waiting Lists

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time is for (a) new patients presenting with symptoms of mental ill health to access talking therapies and (b) referrals to psychiatrists to receive an appointment.

Nicola Blackwood: Average waiting times from referral date to first treatment appointment date are available in the monthly Improving Access to Psychological Therapies publications. These are based on referrals entering treatment in the month, rather than patients, since it is possible for a single person to have more than one referral at any particular time. The latest monthly publication of November 2016 data is available from:http://www.content.digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB23389

Nurses: Pay

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will assess the potential effects of the one per cent cap on pay rises on the recruitment and retention of nurses.

Mr Philip Dunne: The independent NHS Pay Review Body in place for decades is led by experts who consider written and oral evidence about the recruitment, retention and motivation of staff employed under Agenda for Change, put to it by many stakeholders, not just the Government, for example, by National Health Service trades unions, NHS Employers, NHS Providers, NHS Improvement, Health Education England and NHS England. Based on that evidence the NHS Pay Review Body prepares a report for the Government which makes recommendations on the level of pay award that will enable the NHS to continue to recruit, retain and motivate the staff it needs. The NHS Pay Review Body recommended a 1% pay increase for all NHS staff for 2016/17 which the Government accepted in full. The Government has now received the NHS Pay Review Body's report for 2017/18 and will carefully consider its recommendations before making any announcement on the annual pay award.

Cancer: Drugs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2017 to Question 61825, what estimate his Department has made of the number of deaths that may arise from a lack of availability of bisphosphonates between now and that guidance being published in July 2018.

Nicola Blackwood: We have made no such assessment. There is no reason why bisphosphonates should not be prescribed now for the prevention of secondary breast cancer where prescribers assess they are the right treatment for their patients. National prescribing arrangements allow for bisphosphonates to be prescribed for this indication and, in the absence of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, decisions about the funding and prescribing of individual treatments should be made by National Health Service commissioners and clinicians based on an assessment of the available evidence.

Department of Health: ICT

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department spent on (a) iPads and tablets and (b) paper in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

David Mowat: The Department spend on iPads and tablets for the last five years is enclosed in the following table: 2011-12£25,4672012-1302013-14£10,1062014-15£2,3102015-16£3,000 The Department spend on paper by financial year for the last five years is enclosed in the following table: 2011-12£58,113.502012-13£12,922.652013-14£78,656.872014-15£77,960.562015-16£76,393.95

Maternity Services: Standards

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure all maternity units attain Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation.

Nicola Blackwood: Public Health England’s (PHE’s) Maternity Programme has identified improving national breastfeeding rates as a priority to give babies the best possible start in life. PHE and Unicef UK have developed a toolkit to support commissioning of evidence-based interventions to improve breastfeeding rates across England, including provision of effective professional support to mothers and their families through implementation of the Baby Friendly Initiative in every maternity unit.

Colorectal Cancer: Screening

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the capacity of hospitals to test everyone with bowel cancer for Lynch syndrome in accordance with NICE guidelines; and if he will make a statement.

David Mowat: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published diagnostics guidance in February 2017 recommending that everyone who is diagnosed with colorectal cancer should be tested for Lynch syndrome. In current NHS England commissioning practice, testing for Lynch syndrome in people with colorectal cancer is targeted using criteria based on family history and age of cancer onset to determine people at high risk. NHS England will be considering this proposed change to eligibility in practice as part of its clinical development process. NICE has also published a support tool alongside its guidance that provides practical information and advice to help National Health Service organisations to implement its recommendations.

Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula (England) Regulations 2007

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to review the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Nicola Blackwood: The European Commission adopted new regulations in September 2016 based on an updated opinion of the European Food Safety Authority on infant feeding and the composition of infant and follow-on formulas. This legislation, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127, will come into force in 2020 and United Kingdom legislation will be adapted closer to that time.

Diseases: Drugs

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average time taken has been between marketing authorisation being granted and NHS England publishing a funding decision for rare disease medicines in (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 to date.

David Mowat: There is currently no definitive information available regarding the average time taken between marketing authorisation for a new medicine being granted and NHS England publishing a funding decision for rare disease medicines. NHS England does not make funding decisions on rare medicines, which fall into the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Highly Specialised Technology Appraisal programme.

Anglia Ruskin University: Medicine

Sir Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the current status is of the application he has received from Anglia Ruskin University on establishing a new medical school; and what the timetable is for a decision on that application.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Department has not received a formal application from Anglia Ruskin University to establish a new medical school. It is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC) to maintain the list of United Kingdom bodies entitled to award a primary medical qualification and therefore the GMC is responsible for the application process to determine whether new medical schools meet the required standards. Anglia Ruskin University has expressed interest in establishing a new medical school.

Carers

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Government plans to publish the new carers strategy.

David Mowat: The Department expects to publish the new national strategy for carers in the spring. No publication date has yet been set.

Palliative Care: Children

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will implement the recommendation in the Palliative Care Funding Review that short breaks which provide respite for the carers and families of children requiring palliative care should be funded by local authorities and the NHS under their respective legal short breaks duties.

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to work with the Department for Education to ensure that children with complex disabilities and their families can access short breaks for respite which meet their health needs.

David Mowat: The recommendations of the Palliative Care Funding Review in England led to the development of a currency model that sought greater equity in funding of specialist palliative care in all settings, including for respite care for children with palliative care needs. The intention to publish the new currency model was signalled in 2016 as part of the National Tariff for 2017/19 Tariff Engagement Document, which is available online on the NHS Improvement website at:https://improvement.nhs.uk/resources/national-tariff-policy-proposals-1718-and-1819/ NHS England will very shortly be publishing the currency model and guidance on how the currencies can be used to support commissioning and payment for palliative care services locally. Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to provide short break services for disabled children. Clinical commissioning groups should be considering respite needs as part of their role in securing services to meet people’s health needs. In addition, under the statutory framework introduced in 2014, local authorities in England and clinical commissioning groups must agree joint arrangements for supporting the health, education and social care needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities, including respite care. The Care Quality Commission and Ofsted are currently reviewing these arrangements in all local areas.The Department of Health and the Department for Education work closely together in supporting commissioners across health, social care and education in securing services for children with complex needs and disabilities.

Dementia

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2016 to Question 42687, on chronic illnesses, what progress his Department has made in delivering the Implementation Plan, published in March 2016, to support the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia 2020.

David Mowat: The Government, and its partners, are making good progress in implementing the priority actions identified in the Implementation Plan to the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia. We are supporting the Dementia Friends campaign, which envisages four million dementia Friends in England by 2020, who are able to recognise the symptoms of and support people with dementia. There are now over 1.9 million Dementia Friends. We are encouraging communities to become dementia friendly. The Government's ambition is that over half of people will be living in dementia friendly communities by 2020. There are now 192 such communities in England. Timely diagnosis is vital to ensure that people living with dementia get the support they need. We continue to maintain a diagnosis rate of two thirds of the estimated number of people with dementia in England should have a diagnosis with appropriate post-diagnostic support, in line with the national ambition. NHS England has published the ‘Well Dementia Pathway’, which serves as a framework to ensure that people with dementia have a better experience of health and social care support from diagnosis to end of life care. In August 2016, we published the Dementia Atlas, which people can use to review how their area is performing against a range of indicators across the Well Dementia Pathway. Alongside the Implementation Plan, we published a Joint-Declaration on Dementia Post-Diagnostic Care and Support, which sets out the joint ambition across health, social care, local government and the voluntary sector to improve the quality of post-diagnosis care and define what this should look like. Almost 800,000 National Health Service staff have received training to enable them to spot the signs and symptoms of dementia, to equip them to them to work effectively with people with the condition and their carers, and to signpost people to support and care. Additionally, over 100,000 social care staff have been trained to support people with dementia better. Raising awareness of dementia risk reduction is another of the key priorities outlined in the Challenge on Dementia 2020 implementation plan. Public Health England’s (PHE) Dementia Intelligence Network, includes an online dementia profile which brings together all available indicators for dementia, including risk reduction. This profile enables the risk factors for dementia to be monitored on a regular basis. PHE has published improved guidance on reducing dementia risk, including ‘Health Matters: A resource for health professionals and local authorities’ that makes the case for action in midlife to promote healthy lifestyles that can reduce the risk of dementia. PHE also increases awareness of dementia risk reduction through programmes for the public, such as the NHS Health Check. Government funding for dementia research doubled over the last Parliament to around £60 million each year, and will be maintained at this level to total over £300 million in the period from 2015/16 to 2019/20. Much of this investment is in research to better understand dementia, to inform development of future treatments and ways to prevent the onset of the condition. Significant research is looking at how to improve symptom management, care and services for people with dementia, ways of maintaining independent living in early-stage dementia, and improving quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.

Contaminated Blood and Blood Products Inquiry

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many officials of his Department were asked to give evidence to the 2009 Independent Public Inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal by Lord Archer of Sandwell QC; and how many of those requests were (a) accepted and (b) refused.

Nicola Blackwood: Lord Archer’s Inquiry had no statutory power to compel anyone to give evidence or to produce documents. However, the Department did co-operate with the Inquiry and shared over 5,500 official documents. In addition, Departmental officials met with the Inquiry team several times to talk them through the documentation.

Smoking

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy that future grants awarded for work previously conducted by Action on Smoking and Health will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Nicola Blackwood: Grants made under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 can be made in a number of ways. For the activities delivered by the current grant, awarded to Action on Smoking and Health, it was assessed that the non-competed tender route was most appropriate. Any future applications for funding under the Section 64 grant system will be reviewed by the Department in accordance with the Cabinet Office Minimum Standards which came into force in December 2016.

Department of Health: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2017 to Question 64999, on Department of Health: procurement, how many full-time equivalent members of staff are employed in the central contract management team; and how many members of staff that team manages across his Department.

David Mowat: The Department has a Contract Management Team which acts as a Centre of Excellence in ensuring Contract Management is applied in line with Cabinet Office guidance, to those Contracts awarded by the Department to external providers. Within this team there are 11.5 civil servant posts. This team does not manage any other members of staff across the Department.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Warm Home Discount Scheme: Northern Ireland

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the exclusion of Northern Ireland from the Warm Home Discount Scheme on (a) the environment, (b) fuel poverty and (c) pensioner health and well-being.

Jesse Norman: The Warm Home Discount scheme does not apply in Northern Ireland as the primary legislation for the scheme only extends to Great Britain.Fuel poverty is a devolved matter and therefore it is for the Northern Ireland Executive to decide its own fuel poverty objectives and policies.

Renewable Energy

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2017 to Question 60586, what recent assessment he has made of the likelihood of the UK failing to meet its 15 per cent renewable target by 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The UK is currently in line with the trajectory set out in the Renewable Energy Directive, having met the Directive’s interim targets for 2011/12 and 2013/14.We are making good progress towards the next interim target, requiring an average of 7.47% of energy to come from renewables across 2015 and 2016. In 2015 alone 8.3% of energy came from renewable sources.

Apprentices: Pay

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the National minimum wage: Low Pay Commission autumn 2016 report, published in November 2016, what measures are being taken to address the findings of the Apprentice Pay Survey that some apprentices are being paid less than the £3.40 minimum set by the Government.

Margot James: The Government takes the enforcement of National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) very seriously. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) respond to every complaint they receive and proactively target high-risk sectors to improve compliance. The HMRC enforcement budget has increased from £13m in 2015/16 to £25m for 2017/18. In 2015/16, HMRC closed 263 investigations involving apprentices. NMW underpayment was found in 75% of these cases and arrears of £558,618 were found for 632 workers. The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) will specifically target apprentices and their employers with information from the £1.7m National Minimum Wage communications campaign, which is designed to improve awareness ahead of the new rates in April 2017. The SFA continue to rigorously check that the advertised rates of pay of all apprenticeship vacancies on the gov.uk site are compliant with the national minimum wage. Additionally, my hon Friend the Minister for Skills writes to every Level 2 and 3 apprentice in England, congratulating them on beginning an apprenticeship and informing them of their NMW entitlements. Any apprentice who believes they are underpaid the NMW should call the ACAS helpline on 0300 123 1100 for expert and confidential advice.

Biofuels

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Chatham House research paper, Woody Biomass for Power and Heat: Impacts on the Global Climate, published in February 2017, if he will (a) reassess subsidies to biomass for electricity and (b) review biomass policy to ensure it delivers carbon emissions reduction.

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on energy and energy subsidies of the Chatham House research paper, Woody Biomass for Power and Heat: Impacts on the Global Climate, published in February 2017.

Jesse Norman: The Government is firmly committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving to a low carbon economy in a cost-effective way for households and businesses. All biomass power plants in the UK are required to meet mandatory sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions criteria. As the Chatham House report points out, biomass can be sourced in either low or higher carbon manners, depending on the forestry techniques and the types of wood used. Our analysis[1] shows that sawdust and sawmill residues made up 43% of material used, forestry residues comprising branches, tops and bark made up 28%, thinnings amounted to less that 14% of all biomass feedstocks, with the remaining 15% made up of materials such as waste wood. The Department keeps under review the level of subsidies available to biomass technologies and monitors the sustainability of biomass used in heat and power generation. We are currently analysing responses to our Call for Evidence for the future of biomass generation under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) from 2018 onwards. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/490572/Woodfuel_Disclosure_Survey_2015.pdf

Coal: Subsidies

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to transfer subsidies for coal to established technologies subsidies.

Jesse Norman: The Government does not subsidise coal.

Biofuels

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Chatham House research paper, Woody Biomass for Power and Heat: Impacts on the Global Climate, published in February 2017, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent coal power stations continuing to burn coal indefinitely if they co-fire with biomass.

Jesse Norman: The Department recently held a consultation on proposals to end unabated coal generation in Great Britain, with the aim to strengthen investment signals as the UK moves towards a cleaner, lower-carbon electricity system. We are currently assessing the many responses received through the consultation process and will be setting out our approach in due course.

Renewable Energy

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the percentage of UK energy that will come from renewable sources in each year to 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The EU 2020 renewable energy target requires the UK to achieve 15% of final energy consumption from renewables in electricity generation, heating and transport by 2020. We are currently in line with the trajectory set out in the Renewable Energy Directive, having met the Directive’s interim targets for 2011/12 and 2013/14.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Harriett Baldwin: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) procures an extensive and complex range of products, covering vests and washers through to armoured vehicles and nuclear submarines. This procurement is managed through a number of Top Level Budget Holders, and the consolidated details of the total procurement spend is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Full details of the Department's spend can be found in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts, published at; https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mod-annual-reportsInformation on the Equipment Programme planned spend is available in the annual Defence Equipment Plan, published at; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-defence-equipment-plan-2016

Iraq Historic Allegations Team

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the Royal Navy Police are working as part of the Iraq Historic Allegations Team; and what duties those members have.

Mike Penning: There are 11 members of the Royal Navy Police working on Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) investigations. IHAT investigations are conducted under the statutory framework of the Armed Forces Act 2006, and while members of the Royal Navy Police attached to IHAT carry out a range of duties they have the particular role of exercising functions which under the Act can only be exercised by Service Police.

Royal Navy Police

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Order of Battle of the Royal Navy Police is.

Mike Penning: As at 3 March 2017, the Order of Battle for the Royal Navy Police is: Provost Marshal Navy Headquarters Naval Provost Marshal Eastern Region Naval Provost Marshal Western Region Naval Provost Marshal Northern Region Royal Navy Special Investigation Branch Eastern Region Royal Navy Special Investigation Branch Western Region There are discreet numbers of Royal Navy Police that are employed in policing and non-policing roles across Defence.

Armed Forces: Dogs

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military working dogs are in service in the (a) Royal Navy Police, (b) Royal Military Police and (c) Royal Air Force Police; and what duties those dogs perform in each such service.

Mark Lancaster: The Royal Navy Police and Royal Military Police do not have military working dogs. The Royal Air Force Police currently have 203 dogs and they are employed in roles such as general purpose policing, protection, vehicle search, arms explosive search, drugs detection, patrol, and explosive detection.

RAF Police

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the Order of Battle is of the Royal Air Force Police.

Mike Penning: The RAF Police Order of Battle is provided below.  Regular UnitNo 1 RAF Police WingNo 2 RAF Police WingNo 3 RAF Police WingNo 4 RAF Police SquadronNo 5 RAF Police SquadronNo 6 RAF Police SquadronNo 7 RAF Police SquadronCounter Intelligence and Exploitation SquadronNo 1 Tactical Police and Security SquadronSpecial Investigations Branch (North)Special Investigations Branch (South)Reserve UnitNo 3 RAuxAF Tactical Police SquadronNo 603 (City of Edinburgh) RAuxAF Squadron

Ministry of Defence: Investment Income

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the dividend from investment recorded as proceeding from others in the table below paragraph 16.26 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts, 2010-11, HC 992, represents a dividend from IMS Ltd; whether the National Audit Office audited that sum and the funds invested for which that sum was a dividend; and what use was made of the funds arising from that dividend.

Sir Michael Fallon: The £5 million dividend recorded as "other" in the 2010-11 Ministry of Defence (MOD) Annual Report and Accounts was received from International Military Services Limited, and was audited by the National Audit Office.Any sources of income received by the MOD are used to fund Defence activity.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Housing: Construction

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether it is his policy that one million new homes be built by May 2020; and how many additional homes excluding conversions need to be completed to meet that target.

Gavin Barwell: Holding answer received on 26 January 2017



My Department does not publish forecasts for house building. 189,650 new homes were delivered in 2015/16 but we accept we have further to go as a country to build the homes we need.The Government’s ambition is to deliver 1 million homes by the end of the Parliament and our Housing White Paper sets out a comprehensive package of reforms to help us to do so.

Right to Buy Scheme

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of whether the extension of the right to buy to tenants living in properties owned or managed by council housing companies will require new legislation.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effect on the number of houses sold of the proposal to extend the right to buy to homes built by council housing companies in the Housing White Paper.

Gavin Barwell: There are currently no plans to extend the Right to Buy through legislation. However, the Government is clear that where a local authority led local housing company is delivering affordable housing on similar terms to housing in the Housing Revenue Account, those tenants should enjoy comparable rights to tenants of social housing delivered through the Housing Revenue Account.

Help to Buy Scheme

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of properties purchased through the Help to Buy scheme were purchased on a leasehold basis.

Gavin Barwell: This information will be published in the next Help to Buy: Equity Loan Statistical release on 30 March 2017.

Private Rented Housing: Licensing

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local authorities have in place a selective licence scheme for private rented properties within their area; when each such scheme began; and when each such scheme is due to end or need renewal.

Gavin Barwell: The Department does not collect or hold data on local authority selective licensing schemes, which do not require confirmation.Since the 1 April 2015, the Secretary of State has confirmed the approval of two schemes (greater than 20 per cent of a local authority's geographical area or private rented stock):Burnley Borough Council:start date 15 November 2016;end date 15 November 2021.Peterborough City Council :start date 1 November 2016;end date 1 November 2021.

Housing: Construction

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what comparative estimate his Department has made of the number of homes to be built between 2015 and 2020 and the Government's target for the number of homes to be built in that period.

Gavin Barwell: Holding answer received on 24 February 2017



My Department does not publish forecasts for house building. 189,650 new homes were delivered in 2015/16 but we accept we have further to go as a country to build the homes we need.The Government’s ambition is to deliver 1 million homes by the end of the Parliament and our Housing White Paper sets out a comprehensive package of reforms to help us to do so.

Non-domestic Rates

Kevin Hollinrake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the data included in the table produced for non-domestic rating: 2010 and 2017 revaluation rateable values by country, region and SCat code for business located in areas where the population is (a) 10,000 or less and (b) 3,000 or less.

Mr Marcus Jones: The data held by the Valuation Office Agency is not broken down by population size, so it is not possible to produce the statistics requested on rateable values in areas where the population is (a) 10,000 or less and (b) 3,000 or less.

Communities and Local Government: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Mr Marcus Jones: Procurement spend for Core DCLG and its Arms Length Bodies are published at the websites below from 2010 -11 to 2014 -15.2010- 2012https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/120649/Direct___indirect_spend_SMEs.pdf2012- 2013https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/231994/SME_Two_Year_On_Report.pdf2013-2015https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/482638/Publication_of_1415SpendUpdate__1___1_.pdfData for 2015-16 is yet to be published online. The Procurement spend was £253 million.

Communities and Local Government: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within his Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

Mr Marcus Jones: As set out in the recent White Paper (The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union), the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States our future status and arrangements with regard to EU agencies. It would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of the negotiations.

Affordable Housing: Greater London

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans the Government has to change the definition of affordable housing to reflect the higher cost of housing in London.

Gavin Barwell: The definition of affordable housing for planning purposes is set out in Annex 2 to the National Planning Policy Framework, and the Housing White Paper sets out proposed changes to the definition as part of our plan to help households who are currently priced out of the housing market to buy or rent a home of their own. The Mayor must have regard to national planning policy when preparing the Spatial Development Strategy and Supplementary Planning Guidance for Greater London.The Government recently agreed a record-breaking £3.15 billion funding for affordable housing that will deliver at least 90,000 new homes in London. London will also get a share of the additional £1.4 billion investment in affordable housing announced at Autumn Statement.

Affordable Housing

Mr Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme 2016 to 2021 successful bidders initial funding allocations published on 5 January 2017, if he will provide information on the initial funding allocations for (a) rent to buy and (b) shared ownership homes by provider.

Gavin Barwell: Information on the breakdown by tenure by provider is commercially sensitive and subject to change until contracts are signed, so the Department is unable to provide this information now. The Homes and Communities Agency will publish quarterly updates of the programme that will include details of all grant-confirmed schemes.

Airports: Planning Permission

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the danger to wildlife of small airfields; and what his policy is on the weight that such data has in deciding planning applications.

Gavin Barwell: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that the planning system should promote sustainable development, contribute to the enhancement of the natural environment and minimise the impact of new development on biodiversity.Planning law requires that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The weight to be given to other material considerations, which may include the effect on wildlife, or the role of airfields in serving business and other needs, is a matter for the decision maker to determine in each case.My Department has no current plans to make an assessment of the danger to wildlife of small airfields.

Communities and Local Government: Brexit

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2017 to Question 64539, what discussions his Department held with the Department for Exiting the European Union on the drafting of the White Paper entitled The United Kingdom's exit from and new partnership with the European Union, Cm 9417, published in February 2017.

Mr Marcus Jones: We, and other Departments, are working closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union on all aspects of exiting the European Union.

Rented Housing: Coventry

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many people have had a fair rent registered in (a) Coventry South constituency and (b) Coventry City Council Area since 2010.

Gavin Barwell: The Valuation Office Agency registers fair rents under the Rent Act 1977 on behalf of my Department. They do not hold information at council or constituency level.

Social Services: Finance

James Cartlidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to audit local authorities to assess what proportion of funding raised specifically through the social care precept is spent on frontline social care.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Government is keen to ensure that any money raised by councils using the new flexibility is spent on adult social care. We were clear about this in the consultation document to the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement which was published 15 December which states:“To ensure that councils are using income from the precept for adult social care, councils will be required to publish a description of their plans, including changing levels of spend on adult social care and other services. This must be signed off by the Chief Finance Officer (section 151 officer). Councils wishing to use the extra freedom to raise their precept by 3 per cent instead of 2 per cent in 2017-18 must also show how they plan to use this extra money to improve social care.”Councils have also been required to publish their returns concerning the social care precept on their websites to ensure local accountability.

Private Rented Housing: Birmingham

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2017 to Question 64623, on rented housing, how much funding for help to rent projects the Government has provided to Birmingham City Council in each of the last 10 years.

Gavin Barwell: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Community Infrastructure Levy

Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the oral contribution of 27 February 2017, Official Report, column 6, whether the Government plans to maintain the level of Community Infrastructure Levy returned to a community at 25 per cent once a Neighbourhood Plan is in place.

Gavin Barwell: The Government will examine the options for reforming the system of developer contributions including ensuring direct benefit for communities, and will respond to the independent review and make an announcement at Autumn Budget 2017.

Non-domestic Rates: Southwark

Ms Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many businesses in (a) Camberwell and Peckham constituency and (b) the London Borough of Southwark will be affected by the 2017 change in rateable values.

Mr Marcus Jones: The effect of the revaluation of business rates on businesses in (a) Camberwell and Peckham and (b) the London Borough of Southwark will depend on the specific circumstances and location of the relevant property. A £3.6 billion transitional relief scheme will provide support to properties which face an increase in rates. My Department is working closely with the Treasury to determine how best to provide further support to businesses facing the steepest increases. We expect to be in a position to make an announcement on this at the Budget.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: ICT

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much his Department spent on (a) iPads and tablets and (b) paper in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office spend on iPads and tablets over the last five financial years is shown below. Financial YearSpend2012-130.002013-140.002014-150.002015-160.002016-17£1,736.67Spend on paper is not separately recorded from other stationery costs and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Devolution: Scotland

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his oral contribution of 1 March 2017, Official Report, column 280, what further powers he expects to be exercised by the Scottish Parliament once the UK leaves the EU.

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his oral contribution of 1 March 2017, Official Report, column 280, whether he intends to bring forward primary legislation to devolve further powers to the Scottish Parliament.

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his oral contribution of 1 March 2017, Official Report, column 280, whether he plans for the Scottish Parliament to be able to assume legislative competence over areas which are currently exercised by the EU and are not listed in schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998 after the UK leaves the EU.

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his oral contribution of 1 March 2017, Official Report, column 280, whether he intends to bring forward orders under the terms of section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 to devolve further powers to the Scottish Paliament.

David Mundell: The Scottish devolution settlement was created in the context of the UK’s membership of the EU. As we leave the EU, our priority will be ensuring the right powers are returned to Westminster and the right powers are passed to the devolved administrations. Our guiding principle will be ensuring that no new barriers to living and doing business are created within the United Kingdom. On this basis we will work with the devolved administrations to determine the level best placed to make new laws and policies on these issues. We have already committed that no decisions currently taken by the devolved administrations will be removed from them and we will use this opportunity to ensure more decisions are devolved.

Department for International Trade

Department for International Trade: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Greg Hands: The Department for International Trade (DIT) was not formed in 2010, the transfer of functions order established DIT as a corporation sole on 9 November 2016. The Department will publish its full annual report and accounts for the first time after the financial year end on the 31st March 2017. We are working to collate data for the whole department in order to meet transparency requirements on central government spend.

Department for International Trade: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within his Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

Greg Hands: As set out in the recent White Paper (The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union), the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States our future status and arrangements with regard to EU agencies. It would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of the negotiations.

Rolls-Royce

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the terms of reference are for the internal review being conducted by UK Export Finance into the support it provided to Rolls-Royce.

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many officials in UK Export Finance are involved in conducting the review into its support for Rolls-Royce; and who is heading that review.

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if officials in UK Export Finance conducting its review into its support for Rolls-Royce will seek information from the Serious Fraud Office.

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he plans to make public the report arising out of UK Export Finance's review of its support for Rolls-Royce.

Greg Hands: UK Export Finance is scrutinising the deferred prosecution agreements and statements of facts agreed by the Serious Fraud Office and other overseas investigating authorities with Rolls Royce, in order to consider whether the information contained has any implications for existing support, or more widely.

Trade Agreements

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, who the five clients and companies with the highest volume of trade supported by UK Export Finance were in each of the last three financial years.

Greg Hands: Details about exporters and amounts supported by UK Export Finance are published annually in its Annual Report and Accounts which is presented to Parliament.

Department for International Trade: Staff

Mr Nick Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many trade negotiators are employed by his Department and how many were hired from (a) within the UK civil service, (b) the UK private sector, (c) from within the EU and (d) from outside the EU.

Greg Hands: The Department for International Trade has a strong core of trade policy officials, which has quadrupled in size since 24 June and is continuing to grow. This includes policy and country specialists, as well as economic analysts and lawyers. To date, recruitment has primarily been from within the Civil Service. We are currently running an external campaign for recruiting high quality individuals with a range of policy, negotiation and trade-specific skills and experience. This external campaign is ongoing.

Department for International Trade: Staff

Mr Nick Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much his Department has spent on the training of trade negotiators to date.

Mr Nick Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many hours have been spent on training for trade negotiators since the creation of his Department.

Greg Hands: The Department for International Trade (DIT) is building on its existing strong core of trade policy expertise. At this stage our primary focus is on developing policy positions, international relationships and our approach to future trade negotiations.DIT, in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has established the Trade Policy and Negotiations Faculty, dedicated to building trade policy and negotiations capability across HM Government.The Faculty and DIT have already offered a range of training on trade policy:Eight 3-hour Trade Foundation Training Programmes, and e-learning modules;Nineteen 90-minute trade policy practitioner level masterclasses; and42 hours of trade policy practitioner level training, with 21 more hours scheduled for mid-March 2017.These training sessions have been attended by over 800 officials from 19 Government departments and agencies.

Overseas Trade

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many bidders for the Market Access Discovery Team contract, published on 13 February 2017, failed to meet the cultural fit criteria.

Greg Hands: Holding answer received on 06 March 2017



The bid evaluation is ongoing.

Overseas Trade

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what evaluation weighting applied to each of the four cultural fit critera included in the advertisement for the Market Access Discovery Team contract, published on 13 February 2017.

Greg Hands: Holding answer received on 06 March 2017



The Crown Commercial Service’s template for procuring complex digital specialists and/or outcomes includes a ‘cultural fit’ criteria, as this is considered important in the digital marketplace. The cultural fit criteria is not disaggregated across its four components.

Department for International Trade: Contracts

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he approved the inclusion in the cultural fit criteria used to evaluate suppliers bidding for the Market Access Discovery Team contract, published on 13 February 2017, that potential bidders must be contracted to the best possible outcome after the UK leaves the EU.

Greg Hands: No Ministers were involved in the contract process.

Nuclear Power: Trade Promotion

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the (a) planning, (b) setting up and (c) running costs of the Civil Nuclear Showcase Event held in the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London from 28 February to 1 March 2017 were; which companies attended that event; and what cost was charged to each company for its attendance at that event.

Greg Hands: To attend the Civil Nuclear Showcase 2017, UK-based companies were charged £234 including VAT to attend, £144 including VAT for those who made use of the ‘early bird’ rate. Income from attendance fees was £19,908 and from sponsorship £21,000, giving a net cost for the event of £106,749. This is expected to fall farther once various expected reimbursements are taken into account.

Department for International Trade: Contracts

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether it is his policy to require all companies bidding for contracts with his Department to demonstrate a commitment to the best possible outcomes for the UK after the UK leaves the EU as part of the cultural fit criteria.

Greg Hands: The Crown Commercial Service’s template for procuring complex digital specialists and/or outcomes includes a ‘cultural fit’ criteria, as this is considered important in the digital marketplace.

Women and Equalities

Government Equalities Office: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the procurement spend of the Government Equalities Office was in each year since 2010.

Caroline Dinenage: Procurement spend for the Government Equalities Office for financial year ending 2016 was £3,086,146.66.Information on the procurement spend for the four financial years preceding 2015/2016 is not available due to machinery of government changes to the Government Equalities Office.

Plain English

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to encourage the provision of easy read versions of content published by (a) government departments and agencies, (b) utility companies, (c) banks and (d) other private sector service providers.

Caroline Dinenage: Public authorities must have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty, which ensures that equality issues are proactively considered with the intention of meeting the needs and encouraging greater participation in public life by those with protected characteristics (such as a disability). Private sector organisations, including utility companies and banks, have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments so as to ensure that a person with disabilities is not put at a substantial disadvantage when accessing or using public services. This may include actions such as accommodating requests for communication to be conducted in a particular format. Guidance is already available to service providers, including public sector bodies, on how to meet these duties and is available on the gov.uk website. The Office for Disability Issues are currently reviewing and updating the guidance to all Government communicators on accessible formats, to help ensure that all Departments have the latest information to support their internal and external communications.

Department for Transport

Volkswagen

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Germany and the US on the warranty for the retrofit of Volkswagen cars.

Mr John Hayes: We estimate that the vast majority of the wrongdoing took place in Germany and so it is appropriate that the German authorities lead the investigation and in pursuing any resolution with Volkswagen. However, I have discussed Volkswagen with my German counterpart and explained that the Government wants Volkswagen’s UK and European customers to receive a warranty when they have the “technical fix” applied to their vehicles. I have not so far discussed this with my American counterparts.

Volkswagen

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what matters were discussed at his meeting with lawyers acting for claimants against Volkswagen on 22 February 2017.

Mr John Hayes: The Government wants Volkswagen to face the appropriate legal consequences for their actions. On the 22 February I met representatives of legal firms preparing civil action against Volkswagen. They set out how they believe the Government could support their action and I am now considering these requests. As these matters relate to potential legal action it is not appropriate to comment further.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many properties purchased under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme in respect of High Speed 2 were still in the ownership of the Government at 1 March 2017.

Andrew Jones: A total of 234 properties have been acquired under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS). The Need To Sell (NTS) Scheme replaced the EHS for Phase One in January 2015, 2a in May 2016, and Phase 2b in November 2016; and an additional 56 properties have been acquired under the NTS scheme. All properties acquired remain in the ownership of the Secretary of State as at 1 March 2017.

Electric Vehicles: Southampton

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what financial support he has allocated to Southampton City Council for charging infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles.

Mr John Hayes: Southampton City Council was awarded a total of £295,000 in 2016 for the installation of chargepoints for plug-in electric vehicles, as part of Government’s support for efforts to improve air quality in Southampton.

Department for Transport: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Mr John Hayes: Information on Department for Transport’s procurement spend is set out in our annual report for each year. These reports can be found at: 2015-16 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/552876/dft-annual-report-and-accounts-2015-to-2016-web-version.pdf2014-15 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/440269/dft-annual-report-and-accounts-2014-to-2015-_web-version_.pdf2013-14 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324031/dft-annual-report-2014-web.pdf2012-13 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/279571/annual-report-and-accounts-2012-2013.pdf2011-12 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/279570/annual-report-and-accounts-1112.pdf2010-11 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/279568/hc972-01.pdf

Department for Transport: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within his Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

Andrew Jones: As set out in the recent White Paper (The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union), the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States our future status and arrangements with regard to EU agencies. It would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of the negotiations.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to (a) reduce variation in car insurance premiums between different parts of the UK and (b) ensure that people are not being charged a higher premium for living in a poorer area.

Andrew Jones: The pricing of insurance products is a commercial decision for individual insurers based on their assessment of the level of risk posed by a given applicant and the Government does not seek to intervene. The Department for Transport has held a number of meetings with the motor insurance industry, for example, to discuss technological measures which have the potential to bear down on the cost of insurance. The Government has brought forward measures to reduce the excessive costs arising from unnecessary whiplash claims, and expects average savings of £40 to £50 per motor insurance policy. The motor insurance market is intensively competitive and the Government therefore expects that the insurance industry will pass on savings to consumers.

High Speed Two: Staff

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff are on a secondment to HS2 Ltd; form which companies such staff have been seconded; and how many staff are a based in HS2 Ltd offices.

Andrew Jones: 105 secondees from 23 companies and 3 Government bodies. All 105 secondees are based in HS2 offices. The list of organisations they’re on secondment from are as follows: AECOMArcadisBravo SolutionsCarter JonasCH2M HillChaucerCivil Service ResourcingCorderoy Infrastructure LimitedCritigenDfTEC HarrisEDP JVEquibEvershedsGardiner & TheobaldHalcrowHill Intl LtdHome OfficeLondon Midland TrainsMACEMott MacdonaldNetwork RailNichollsTurner & TownsendVirgin TrainsWest Coast Trains

Liverpool Lime Street Station: Walls and Fences

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the wall outside Liverpool Lime Street Station which collapsed on 1 March 2017 was last surveyed by Network Rail; and how often Network Rail surveys the (a) rail bridges, (b) cuttings and (c) tunnels leading to Liverpool Lime Street Station.

Paul Maynard: Network Rail last undertook detailed examinations of the affected slip area on 7 December 2014, and a further visual examination on 25 December 2016. The majority of cuttings leading into Liverpool Lime Street Station are inspected every two or five years depending on their categorisation. Rail bridges and tunnels, however, are categorised individually and have different inspection regimes tailored to the age and condition of the structure.

Liverpool Lime Street Station: Walls and Fences

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the collapse of the wall outside Liverpool Lime Street Station on 1 March 2017.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the safety of the (a) rail bridges, (b) cuttings and (c) tunnels in (i) Liverpool and (ii) Liverpool, Wavertree constituency.

Paul Maynard: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Network Rail, as the infrastructure owner, to discuss a wide range of topics which have included the collapse of the wall outside Liverpool Lime Street Station on 28 February 2017. We look to Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road (as the regulator) to ensure that the infrastructure is fit for purpose.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Cambodia: Politics and Government

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to promote democracy and free and fair elections in Cambodia.

Alok Sharma: We continue to advocate the importance of a peaceful and fair electoral process in Cambodia. It is in the interests of long-term stability in the country for there to be free and fair elections that command the confidence of the voters. In support of this the EU, with UK support, has provided financial and technical assistance to the National Electoral Commission in the preparation of a new voter registry in advance of the upcoming Commune and General elections. We look to the authorities to ensure an environment in which opposition parties and civil society can function freely.

West Bank: Demolition

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make urgent representations to the Israeli Government to consider reversing the recent demolition orders served to the village of Khan al- Ahmar in the occupied West Bank.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Government is gravely concerned about demolition of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities, including plans to demolish the Bedouin village of Khan al Ahmar. I raised this issue with the Israeli Ambassador to London on 1 March. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv last raised our concerns with the Israeli authorities on 28 February.

Moldova: Fraud

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the progress of efforts by the Government of Moldova to recover assets lost as a result of bank fraud.

Boris Johnson: The Moldovan Government has stated on a number of occasions that it is committed to the recovery of assets lost as a result of the 2014 bank fraud. Ongoing investigations are a matter for the relevant Moldovan authorities.

Moldova: Corruption

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to support efforts by the Government of Moldova to (a) investigate and (b) prosecute allegations of official corruption in that country.

Boris Johnson: We have made clear to the Government of the Republic of Moldova that we expect it to deliver on its reform commitments as a matter of urgency. The Moldovan Government has made a moderately promising start with legislative reforms to the justice sector, and the strengthening of the banking system following the 2014 bank fraud, but these initial steps need to be underpinned by full implementation and concrete results and Moldova still has a long way to go on judicial and economic reform and fighting corruption.The UK is providing support to judicial and economic reform and fighting corruption, including through the Good Governance Fund (GGF). Through the GGF we plan to fund up to £4.3 million worth of projects and programmes in Financial Year 16/17, including projects which focus on these areas specifically. We plan a similar allocation in Financial Year 17/18. GGF support has already helped improve the resilience of the banking and financial sectors through supervisory and regulatory reform and contributed to improving sentencing procedures for corruption crimes, by developing sentencing guidelines as well as recommendations for their application.

Moldova: Elections

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the fairness of the media coverage in Moldova of the Presidential elections held in that country in October and November 2016.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the fairness of the conduct of Presidential elections in Moldova held in October and November 2016.

Boris Johnson: We share the assessment of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Election Observation Mission which covered the first and second rounds of the Presidential elections in Moldova on 30 October and 13 November 2016. The OSCE/ODIHR concluded that both rounds were competitive with respect for fundamental freedoms. They also noted, however, that the electoral process was marred by widespread abuse of administrative resources, lack of campaign finance transparency and unbalanced media coverage with politically affiliated broadcasters portraying some candidates in an increasingly negative tone, especially in the run-up to the second round. We urge the Moldovan authorities to consider measures to deal with these priorities for the future.

Israeli Settlements

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Israeli Government on US policy on the construction of settlements in the Palestinian territories since the US President's meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister on 15 February 2017.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: While we have not discussed US settlements policy with the Israeli authorities, we welcome President Trump's interest in working for a peace deal that meets the requirements of both parties. The UK's view remains that the two-state solution is the best option to achieve that. We continue to believe settlements are one of a number of significant barriers to achieving a two-state solution and regularly raise our concerns about settlement activity with the Israeli authorities.

Trans-Dniestr: Ukraine

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security of the border between the Transnistria region of Moldova and Ukraine.

Boris Johnson: The UK fully supports the work of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) and the active role it is playing in supporting both Moldova and Ukraine in border management. No recent UK assessments have been made of the security of the border between the Transnistria region of Moldova and Ukraine. Part of the state border between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine is under the control of the de facto Transnistrian authorities and the de jure Moldovan authorities are unable to exercise any effective control on the side of the state border outside their effective control.

Kashmir

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had on the matter of self-determination for Azad Kashmir with his counterparts in the Government of (a) India and (b) Pakistan.

Alok Sharma: I have not discussed this matter with either the Government of India or Pakistan. The longstanding position of the United Kingdom is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the United Kingdom to prescribe a solution or to act as a mediator. We encourage both sides to maintain positive dialogue, but the pace and scope of this is for them to determine.

Trans-Dniestr: Russia

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of Russian military personnel in the Transnistria region of Moldova.

Boris Johnson: The Russian military presence in the Transnistria region of Moldova is made up of two components. The first is the Russian contingent to the Tripartite Peace Keeping force established under the 1992 Cease Fire Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation. The number of Russian military personnel currently serving as part of the Tripartite Peace Keeping force is estimated at around 420 soldiers.The second component of Russian military personnel in the Transnistria region of Moldova is the 8th Operational Group of Russian Forces (OGRF) Brigade. These forces do not have host nation (Moldovan) consent. The number of Russian military personnel currently serving in the 8th OGRF Brigade is estimated at around 1500 soldiers.Continuing to station the 8th OGRF Brigade in the Transnistria region without the consent of the Republic of Moldova places the Russian Federation in breach of commitments it entered into at the 1999 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Istanbul Summit. We fully support calls for the Russian Federation to remove from the territory of the Republic of Moldova those elements of its armed forces and munitions which do not have host nation consent.

United Arab Emirates: Human Rights

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how the issue of respect for human rights is reflected in the programme for the UK-UAE Year of Culture.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The agreed themes of the UK-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Year of Culture season are Next Generation, Community and Inclusion.Through the Inclusion and Community themes, the British Council aims to make the UK-UAE Year of Culture programme accessible to all sectors of society, including those with special needs, the elderly and disabled.The Next Generation theme focuses on capacity building for the UAE youth to enable them to participate fully in society.

Moldova: NATO

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Moldovan counterpart on the planned opening of a permanent NATO liaison office in Chisinau.

Boris Johnson: The establishment of a NATO liaison office in Chisinau was requested by the Moldovan Government. The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova has ratified the exchange of letters necessary for the office to proceed and the Government understands the office is likely to open in June 2017. NATO is committed to supporting Moldova's reform efforts and both NATO and the UK share the objective of wishing to see a secure and stable Moldova. The Republic of Moldova is, however, a constitutionally neutral country that does not aspire to NATO membership, something which both the UK and NATO acknowledge and respect.The British Ambassador to Moldova met the Head of the NATO Office (designate) in Chisinau on 3 March.

Moldova: EU Enlargement

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the prospects for future Moldovan membership of the EU; and what the Government's policy is on potential Moldovan membership of the EU.

Boris Johnson: The Republic of Moldova is not a Candidate Country. The UK remains committed to supporting reform, embedding stability and addressing shared challenges such as security and migration in the Eastern Neighbourhood. We fully support the Association Agreement (AA) which aims to deepen political and economic relations between Moldova and the EU.

Moldova: EU External Relations

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the progress made in implementing the Association Agreement between the EU and Moldova.

Boris Johnson: Moldova has made a promising start on implementation of the ambitious political, governance and economic reforms agreed under the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, which was provisionally applied from September 2014 and entered into force on 1 July 2016 following ratification by all EU Member States. The Association Agreement which, includes the introduction of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, supports Moldova's economic growth by providing both EU market access and an impetus for modernising reforms. The key sectors where reforms are needed include the rule of law and judicial sector reform, a reformed public sector administration, and financial and banking sector reform.The British Government monitors progress closely and encourages and supports the Moldovan Government to maintain momentum across the board, and in particular on judicial reform and in tackling corruption where more work is needed by Moldova to further embed democratic institutions. The UK's Good Governance Fund (GGF) is funding a project to provide easy access to the general public, media and the business sector on the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the aim of stimulating corresponding trade opportunities.

Trans-Dniestr

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects the next round of 5+2 talks on the status of the Transnistria region of Moldova to be held; and what the Government's priorities will be for those discussions.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who represented the Government at the most recent round of 5+2 talks on the status of the Transnistria region of Moldova; and what assessment the Government has made of the outcome of those talks.

Boris Johnson: The last formal round of 5+2 talks on the Transnistria unresolved conflict took place on 2-3 June 2016 in Berlin under the German Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The 5+2 consists of the OSCE as the Chair, Moldova and Transnistria as the parties to the conflict, the Russian Federation and Ukraine as the mediators, and the EU and United States as observers. The UK is not party to the 5+2 process and consequently not represented at meetings of the 5+2, although we follow the process closely.The UK welcomed the resumption of formal 5+2 talks last year and encouraged the sides to remain committed to the process, to engage constructively, and to deliver on the commitment made in Berlin to engage in dialogue via Working Groups on key issues including telecommunications, legal authentication of university diplomas and ecology.Austria assumed the Chairmanship of the OSCE in January 2017. There is as yet no date set for the next formal round of 5+2 talks.The UK remains committed to supporting a comprehensive, peaceful settlement of the Transnistria unresolved conflict based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova with a special status for the Transnistria region.

Bangladesh: Refugees

Mrs Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to authorities in Bangladesh on the relocation of Rohingya refugees to the Cox's Bazar area.

Alok Sharma: The UK is deeply concerned for the welfare of the Rohingya community in Burma. When meeting with members of the Bangladesh government during my visit to Dhaka from 2 to 4 March, I welcomed the humanitarian assistance provided by Bangladesh to the Rohingya people and discussed how the UK and Bangladesh can work together to encourage a durable solution in Burma. I also received a briefing on the situation with the Rohingya refuges from UN agencies working on the ground in the Cox's Bazar area.The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness Anelay of St Johns discussed the issue of Rohingya refugees when she met with the Bangladesh High Commissioner in February. I also raised the matter with the Bangladesh High Commissioner in November.

Egypt: Human Rights

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Egypt on alleged human rights abuses in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Following my response of 24 February, the Foreign Secretary raised human rights concerns with Egypt's President Sisi during his visit to Cairo on 25 February, emphasising the importance of a free and open society. The Foreign Secretary also met human rights defenders and civil society activists to gain a better understanding of the human rights situation in Egypt and hear their concerns.We will continue to monitor the situation closely and urge the Egyptian Government to implement the human rights provisions contained in the constitution.

China: Human Rights

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart on the treatment of human rights activists in that country.

Alok Sharma: ​I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 February 2017 (PQ 63917).

Yemen: Military Intervention

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Government's arms export policy to Saudi Arabia on the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Government takes its arms export licensing responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application.The conflict is making the delivery of commercial and humanitarian supplies into Yemen, and their onward distribution, extremely difficult. We continue to urge all parties to the conflict to take all reasonable steps to allow the delivery and distribution of aid, and to facilitate rapid and safe humanitarian access. We also call upon all sides to do everything possible to prevent civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

Yemen: Press Freedom

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Yemeni counterpart on the free entry and movement of journalists in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Government recognises the importance of free movement of journalists to cover issues of global importance. This must be balanced against security and safety considerations. The Government currently advises against all travel to Yemen.I last spoke to the Yemeni Foreign Minister Mikhlafi on 23 February. We discussed the importance of making progress towards a political settlement, including protecting human rights.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within his Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​As set out in the recent White Paper ("The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union"), the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States our future status and arrangements with regard to EU agencies. It would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of the negotiations.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Sir Alan Duncan: Spending for the department for financial years 2010-11 to 2015-16 can be found in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual report and accounts on the the Gov.uk website using the following weblink: www.gov.uk/government/publications.

Malawi: Albinism

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Government of Malawi on the rise of albinism-related crimes in that country.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Following a peak in attacks last year, the British High Commissioner to Malawi raised the UK's concern about the rise in attacks against people with albinism with Malawi's Foreign Affairs Minister.The President of Malawi has taken a strong public stance. The Police have made over 80 arrests and trials are underway, with harsher sentences now in place for those convicted. In May 2016, the President appointed a national technical committee to oversee the implementation of a National Response Plan to address the threat to people with albinism, but resourcing remains a challenge.

Malawi: Albinism

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of albinism-related crimes in Malawi.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UN report a total of 115 attacks, including 20 murders, against people with albinism in Malawi since 2014. Attacks increased significantly in 2014/15, following a clampdown in neighbouring Tanzania. The trend has been decreasing, but we remain concerned about ongoing attacks.

Belarus: Capital Punishment

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Belarusian counterpart on the use of the death penalty in that country.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of media freedom in Belarus; and what representations he has made to his Belarusian counterpart on the accreditation of journalists in that country.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of political prisoners in Belarus; and what representations he has made to his Belarusian counterpart on the reinstatement of the civil and political rights of former political prisoners in that country.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the EU-Belarus Human Rights Dialogue.

Boris Johnson: It is the longstanding policy of the UK to oppose the use of the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We use every opportunity to call on Belarus to establish an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, as a first step towards abolition. For example, the UK funded a landmark conference 'Abolition of the Death Penalty and Public Opinion' organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Minsk in December 2016.Despite some positive developments, the overall human rights situation in Belarus remains marred by systematic violations. The last EU-Belarus Human Rights Dialogue took place in June 2016. The dialogue allowed for an extensive exchange of views on the situation of human rights both in Belarus and in the European Union. The next EU-Belarus Human Rights Dialogue will take place in June 2017.The British Government remains concerned about restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and of association, particularly the freedom of the media, which remains severely limited. We continue to urge the Belarusian authorities to eliminate all obstacles to the exercise of a free and independent media, including through the registration of new media outlets and the accreditation of journalists.The Government does not currently recognise any prisoners in Belarus as being political prisoners. The release of political prisoners in August 2015 was a welcome step. We continue to urge the Government of Belarus to reinstate the full civil and political rights of released political prisoners.

Iran: Trade Agreements

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of Lord Lamont of Lerwick of 2 February 2017, House of Lords, Official Report, column 1280, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for any future trade deal with Iran of that country's continued detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The two issues are not linked. Whilst our improved bilateral relationship with Iran allows for discussions on issues such as the expansion of the trading relationship, it also allows us to raise our consular cases, including where we have concerns. The UK treats all our consular cases with the utmost importance and continues to raise them with the Iranian authorities at the highest levels. My RH Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with Foreign Minister Zarif on 17 February.

Department for International Development

HIV Infection

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which (a) HIV bilateral programmes and (b) DFID country offices account for the decline in funding coded as HIV prevention treatment and care between 2014-15 and 2016-17.

James Wharton: The majority of our investments to the HIV response is now directed through multilateral organisations such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, UNITAID and UNAIDS, given their greater reach and scale. The timing of disbursements partly accounts for the difference in spend between years.Estimated direct bilateral spend on HIV programmes is expected to fall between 2014-15 and 2016-17 in Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda. The UK has made a £1.1billion pledge to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria for the 5th replenishment 2017-2019, increased from £800million for the 4th replenishment. This will boost funding for HIV through the Global Fund and will support the firm commitment to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

USA: Family Planning

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will take steps to (a) reduce the effects of the US Administration's Mexico City Policy disallowing promotion of abortion as a method of family planning by organisations receiving US assistance and (b) ensure that comprehensive sexual and reproductive health rights are supported worldwide.

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department plans to contribute to the global fund to help women access abortion services, announced by Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, Canada and Cape Verde in response to reinstatement of the US Administration's Mexico City Policy.

James Wharton: The UK is the second largest bilateral donor in the world for family planning, having more than doubled our investment since 2010. Our funding is allocated on the basis of whatever mechanism will deliver the best value and outcomes for women around the world. We will continue to be a global leader on family planning, women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health.The full implications of the reinstated and expanded Mexico City policy are not yet clear, but we are closely following developments. DFID will consider the implications with our offices, with UK civil society and with donors.

Department for Education

Children: Protection

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve child protection for families where there are allegations of domestic abuse.

Edward Timpson: We are committed to delivering long term, sustainable improvements to the children’s social care system. Putting Children First: Delivering our vision for excellent children’s social care (July 2016) sets out the government’s reform programme for children’s social care in England for the next five years. The government recognises the life changing impact domestic abuse can have on the lives of children. That is why we have expanded the Troubled Families Programme until 2020 to work with an additional 400,000 families, including those affected by domestic abuse. The government’s Violence Against Women Strategy (April 2016), stresses the importance of taking an integrated whole-family approach to addressing and stopping violence and abuse. The government has provided £2m in funding to support new models developed by Safelives and Women’s Aid to identify and support victims and their families at an earlier stage and provide effective wrap-around support. The Department for Education is funding four grants, totalling around £900,000, from 2016 to March 2018 to Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations working on issues concerning domestic abuse. Further details of the VCS grants can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-backs-projects-to-help-safeguard-vulnerable-children

Pre-school Education: Standards

Mr Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the research published by Save the Children on 1 November 2016, what implications the findings of this report that children in nurseries without an early years teacher are almost 10 per cent less likely to meet the expected levels of development when they start school will have on her Department's policies.

Caroline Dinenage: On 3 March the Department for Education published an early years workforce strategy which seeks to remove the barriers to attracting, retaining and developing staff. For graduates we have begun the process to amend regulations so that early years teachers can lead teaching in nursery and reception classes in maintained schools. Over the longer term, we are going to consider how plans to strengthen QTS could offer positive opportunities for early years teachers. We also want to make sure that all settings serving disadvantaged children can access specialist graduates, so we are commissioning a feasibility study to explore how best to achieve this.The strategy is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-workforce-strategy

Pre-school Education: Teachers

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that all children in nursery have access to a qualified Early Years Teacher.

Caroline Dinenage: On 3 March the Department for Education published an early years workforce strategy which seeks to remove the barriers to attracting, retaining and developing staff. For graduates we have begun the process to amend regulations so that early years teachers can lead teaching in nursery and reception classes in maintained schools. Over the longer term, we are going to consider how plans to strengthen QTS could offer positive opportunities for early years teachers. We also want to make sure that all settings serving disadvantaged children can access specialist graduates, so we are commissioning a feasibility study to explore how best to achieve this.The strategy is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-workforce-strategy

Department for Education: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the procurement spend of her Department was in each year since 2010.

Caroline Dinenage: Procurement spend for the Department for Education and its agencies since 2010 is as follows: Financial Year ending£millions20105092011533201228620133252014390201539720164152017 to Sept 2016254

Children in Care: Deportation

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's statistical release entitled Children looked after in England including adoption: 2015 to 2016, published on 28 February 2017, to which countries the 40 young people who have left care were deported.

Edward Timpson: The Department does not hold details of the countries to which care leavers are deported.

Children: Asylum

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what strategy her Department has to find school places for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Edward Timpson: Identifying an appropriate school place for looked after children, including unaccompanied asylum seeking children, rests with the local authority responsible for them. Statutory Guidance for local authorities on ‘promoting the education of looked after children’ is clear that, in arranging a school placement, the child’s social worker and local authority’s Virtual School Head should seek the school or other education setting best suited to the child’s needs.The School Admissions Code, which sets out the requirements for admitting children to schools, supports this objective by ensuring looked after children have top priority in school admissions.

Sex and Relationship Education

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her Written Ministerial Statement HCWS509 of 1 March 2017 on sex and relationships education, whether the duty will apply to (a) academy schools, (b) faith schools, (c) independent schools and (d) free schools.

Edward Timpson: All primary schools, including primary faith schools, will be required to provide relationships education. These requirements will apply to maintained schools, academy/free schools and independent schools. All secondary schools, including secondary faith schools, will be required to provide relationships and sex education. These requirements will apply to maintained schools, academy/free schools and independent schools.

Schools: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when decisions from the Education Funding Agency on applications to the Condition Improvement Fund for 2017-18 will be announced.

Nick Gibb: We expect to publish the list of successful Condition Improvement Fund 2017-18 projects and notify all schools and colleges of the outcome of their applications by April 2017.

Sandymoor School

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 15 of Sandymoor Free School's annual report and financial statement for the year ending 31 August 2016, for what reasons that school received  advanced funding from the Education Funding Agency; and what the amount of that advanced funding was.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2017 to Question 65091, why page 30 of Sandymoor Free School's annual report and financial statement for the year ending 31 August 2016 includes reference to a deficit of £522,760.

Edward Timpson: The Education Funding Agency has not been approached by the Trust and has not agreed to provide advance funding.The financial statements ending 31 August 2016 show a cumulative carry forward surplus of £173,401. We are looking into the reference to a deficit of £522,760 and we will seek clarification from the Trust on the issues raised.

Ada, National College for Digital Skills

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of how many National College for Digital Skills students in the (a) current and (b) next cohort are resident outside London.

Robert Halfon: Ada National College for Digital Skills opened to its first cohort of students in September 2016. 58 students have been enrolled at the College in the current year, of which 11 percent are from outside Greater London. The College has received 177 applications for the autumn 2017 intake. Over 20 percent of these applicants are from outside Greater London. The College is talking to industry partners about a range of options for growth outside London by 2020; and is planning to launch an online training pilot in advanced digital skills in Summer 2017.

Digital Technology: Training

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 5, Part 2 of the Government's Digital Strategy, published on 1 March 2017, with whom she plans to consult to ensure that adults who lack core digital skills can access specified basic digital skills training; and what qualifications she envisages those adults attaining on completion of that training.

Robert Halfon: The Government intends to consult with sector experts, education providers and the public to ensure that adults who lack core digital skills can access specified basic digital skills training. We will also work closely with key stakeholders in order to identify, and where required, support the quality improvement of the most appropriate courses and qualifications for these adults to ensure they can secure basic digital skills.

Digital Technology: Training

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 5, Part 2 of the Government's Digital Strategy, published on 1 March 2017, whether additional funding will be provided to ensure that adults who lack core digital skills can access specified basic digital skills training free of charge.

Robert Halfon: The government is committing to ensuring that, where relevant learners get a place to study for a relevant digital skills qualification, it will be free of charge. This support is available for adults aged 19+ in England who are considered to lack basic digital skills. Funding will be via the £1.5 billion Adult Education Budget. This is currently allocated to providers who decide on actual provision according to the local labour market and learner demand and so levels of funding will vary from year to year but will be delivered within the limits of the budget of each provider.

Apprentices: Standards

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Institute for Apprenticeships will produce guidance for employers on peer reviewing apprenticeship standards.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Government's response to the consultation on the the Institute for Apprenticeships strategic guidance will be published before the Institute assumes its functions in April 2017.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Government's response to the consultation on the Institute for Apprenticeships, operational guidance will be published before the Institute assumes its functions in April 2017.

Robert Halfon: I can confirm that the Institute for Apprenticeships will produce a guidance document that will include peer reviewing apprenticeship standards. I am also happy to report that following consultation, the Government will issue its final version of the Institute’s Strategic Guidance on 1 April 2017. The Operational Plan consultation ran from 27 January to 27 February 2017. The Institute will publish the final Operational Plan on 18 April 2017.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which local authorities (a) offer or (b) have offered an education maintenance allowance since 2010.

Robert Halfon: The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) was a national scheme that ended in England in 2011, when it was replaced by the 16-19 Bursary Fund. These bursaries are funded by the Department for Education and have two elements. The first is a discretionary fund allocated to education and training providers, which they use to support young people who need financial help to participate in education. £132 million was allocated to institutions for this academic year. The second is an entitlement to £1,200 per year for the most vulnerable groups of young people – including children in care, care leavers, and young people receiving certain income or disability benefits. The Department does not collect information from local authorities on whether they offer an education maintenance allowance in addition to this support, but we are aware for example that there is a local allowance provided in Tower Hamlets.

Pre-school Education

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of requiring applicants for the early years educator qualification to have English and mathematics GCSEs at grade C or above on the number of early years educators entering the profession.

Caroline Dinenage: On 3 March the Department for Education published a response to a consultation undertaken with the sector on the requirement for early years educators to have English and mathematics GCSEs at grade C or above. This response, and the early years workforce strategy published on the same day, set out the actions we will take as a result of the consultation. The Government response to the consultation on level 3 qualification requirements can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/level-3-early-years-educator-numeracy-and-literacy-requirements The Early Years Workforce Strategy is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-workforce-strategy

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Tickets: Touting

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 November 2016 to Question 50037, on the Independent Review of Consumer Protection Measures concerning online secondary ticketing facilities, when the Government plans to publish its response to that Review.

Matt Hancock: The Government has been carefully considering its response to Professor Waterson’s review and this will be published in due course.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) EU agencies and other organisations within her Department's remit the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU, (b) staff time was spent on engagement with those bodies and (c) financial resources were spent on engagement with those bodies in 2015-16.

Matt Hancock: As set out in the recent White Paper (The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union), the Government will discuss with the EU and Member States our future status and arrangements with regard to EU agencies. It would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcome of the negotiations

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the procurement spend of her Department was in each year since 2010.

Matt Hancock: Information on DCMS’s procurement spend is set out in our annual report for each year. These reports can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications

Broadband

Tom Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much of the £2.5 billion commercial investment in broadband planned by BT has been delivered to date.

Matt Hancock: The Department does not hold information on the funding invested by BT in its commercial activities.

Digital Technology: Training

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to page 41 of the Government's industrial strategy green paper, published in January 2017, whether it remains her Department's policy that free basic digital skills training will be available for all adults.

Matt Hancock: Yes, the Government's continued commitment to this policy was outlined in the Digital Strategy launched last week on the 1st of March 2017.

Culture: EU Grants and Loans

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the UK's potential relationship with Creative Europe after (a) the UK leaves the EU and (b) Creative Europe's current budget period ends in 2020.

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential benefits to the audiovisual, creative and cultural sectors of continued participation in Creative Europe and its successors after the UK leaves the EU; and if she will make a statement.

Matt Hancock: The UK’s negotiations for exiting the EU are complex and the Government is focused on securing the best deal for Britain. Together with the Department for Exiting the EU, we are analysing all the impacts of leaving the EU, looking at over 50 sectors. Once we have left the EU, decisions on how taxpayers’ money will be spent will be made in the UK. There may be European programmes in which we might want to participate, but this will be a decision for the UK as we negotiate the new arrangements.

Public Libraries: Digital Technology

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to Part 2 of the Government's UK Digital Strategy, published on 1 March 2017, whether additional funding will be provided to libraries to help make them the go-to provider of digital access, training and support for local communities.

Mr Rob Wilson: Public libraries play a significant role in providing people with access to the internet and digital services, through computers, wifi and other digital technologies, as well as offering digital skills training and support to local people. A number of funding opportunities are available to public libraries in England to support them in providing improved services. These include a £4m public libraries innovation fund that was launched in December 2016 and managed by Arts Council England on behalf of DCMS. This fund will support a range of innovative library service projects in 2017/18 to benefit disadvantaged people and places in England and could include access to technology provided by library services. This is in addition to the Government funding programme, managed by Arts Council England, that supported the roll out of wifi in 2015/16 so that almost every public library in England now provides free wifi to the public. DCMS is also providing funding and support to library authorities interested in developing alternative delivery models including mutuals which could help them be more flexible in responding to the needs of their local communities, such as providing digital access, training and support.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Beekeeping: Pest Control

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the efficiency of the reporting protocols for non-statutory notifiable pests in alerting beekeepers to their presence.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Our efforts are currently focused on the reporting of statutory bee pests and diseases such as the small hive beetle and European and American foulbrood. Details of outbreaks are provided on our online advice portal BeeBase, available for all registered beekeepers to see. Beekeepers within 3km of an outbreak are notified by email. Current levels of foulbrood across the country are at very low levels testifying to the success of this approach. We support beekeepers against non-notiable pests and diseases such as Varroa through our extensive training and inspection programme and through BeeBase. Guidance is provided on how to identify and manage their impacts ensuring healthier and more productive colonies. We do not currently notify beekeepers of local findings of these pests.

Pesticides: Certification

Alex Chalk: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of monitoring the certification regarding the use, storage and disposal of plant protection products.

George Eustice: Pesticides are tightly regulated in the UK and plant protection products can only be sold or used after they have been authorised. Authorised products are often subject to restrictions on the ways in which they are used, so as to ensure protection of human health and the environment. These restrictions can include application rates, timings and specific risk mitigation measures. There is also guidance for professional pesticide users which includes information on correct use, storage and disposal of plant protection products. Several schemes, such as cross-compliance requirements for rural payments and various farm assurance schemes, include inspections covering pesticide storage facilities, record-keeping and practices. The UK has a National Action Plan which includes a range of measures to ensure the sustainable use of pesticides. The Government is advised on the progress with this Plan by a stakeholder group, the Pesticides Forum. The Forum considers a range of information, including the results of relevant Government monitoring schemes. Its latest Annual Report states that the UK's range of controls is effective and is ensuring that pesticides are being used in a more sustainable fashion.

Natural England

Steve Double: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding she plans to provide to National Trails England in each year to 2020.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Natural England will provide funding of £1.8 million for the national trails in England in 2017/18. Natural England is committed to finding a secure future for national trails. Future levels of funding for 2018/19 and 2019/2020 and how best to secure future funding will be part of the discussions Natural England is currently holding with the National Trail Partnerships.

Cryptosporidia: Lancashire

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2017 to Question 64958, when she expects the Drinking Water Inspectorate to report its findings into the crytosporidium incident in Lancashire which took place in August 2015.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) remains very conscious of the level of interest in this investigation, but to avoid risks of prejudice or impediment to the course of justice, the publication of a report must follow the conclusion of this process. Once published, the report will be made available to those parties who have registered an interest with the DWI.

Microplastics

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce the use of microbeads in products that are not included within the scope of her Department's proposed ban on microbeads.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: We ran a consultation between 20 December 2016 and 28 February 2017 on proposals to ban microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products. The consultation also sought to gather evidence on the extent of the environmental impacts of microplastics, including microbeads, found in other products. We are now reviewing the responses to the consultation and any new evidence will be used to inform future UK actions to protect the marine environment.

Microplastics: USA

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take to learn lessons from the ban on microbeads in the US; and if she will make an assessment of the merits and effect of the US measures.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The US ban has not yet come into force, but we will continue to monitor its progress and look to learn any lessons from its approach.

Animal Products: Imports

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2017 to Question 60831, what the country of origin was of each trophy for which an import application was received; and if she will make a statement.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Records show that two of the hunting trophy export applications originate in Tanzania, and 15 originate from South Africa.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage people in affected areas to continue badger control beyond the four years of the initial badger culling trials.

George Eustice: In line with the Chief Veterinary Officer’s advice, we consulted on the next steps for badger control in those areas that have successfully completed the first four years of intensive culling, the aim of which will be to continue to protect the hard work of farmers and ensure that the anticipated disease reduction benefits are sustained. The Chief Veterinary Officer’s advice can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovine-tb-chief-veterinary-officers-advice-on-the-outcome-of-the-2016-badger-culls. and further details of the consultation can be found at:https://consult.defra.gov.uk/bovine-tb/supplementary-badger-disease-control/supporting_documents/Consultation%20Document.pdf. The consultation closed on 10 February 2017 and the responses that were received are being considered.

National Parks: Road Traffic Control

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many legal green lanes have been closed using Traffic Regulation Orders in (a) Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, (b) Broads Authority, (c) Cairngorms National Park Authority, (d) Dartmoor National Park Authority, (e) Exmoor National Park Authority, (f) Lake District National Park Authority, (g) Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, (h) New Forest National Park Authority, (i) Northumberland National Park Authority, (j) North York Moors National Park Authority, (k) Peak District National Park Authority, (l) Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, (m) Snowdonia National Park Authority, (n) South Downs National Park Authority and (o) Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in each of the last five years.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Information on the use of traffic regulation orders to close legal green lanes in National Parks is not collected centrally by the Government. Such information may be requested directly from the National Parks.

Public Footpaths: Coastal Areas

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department will make staged funding available for the England Coastal Path as it opens.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Natural England will provide funding for the England Coast Path as stretches of the coast are opened under Part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. We are aiming to complete the England Coast Path by 2020.

Public Footpaths: Repairs and Maintenance

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding her Department plans to make available for the maintenance and improvement of the English National Trails in (a) 2018-19, (b) 2019-20 and (c) 2020-21.

Sir Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to reinstate the three year funding cycle for the English National Trails as set out by Natural England in 2013.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for St Austell and Newquay, Steve Double, on 7 March 2017, PQ66037

Avian Influenza

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the total (a) expenditure and (b) number of full-time equivalent officials working for her Department on the prevention of the spread of avian flu in each month of the last five years.

George Eustice: The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) maintains a flexible response to safeguard animal and plant health. The number of individuals working directly on prevention and response to animal diseases varies according to the daily operational requirement. The majority of expenditure directly attributable to avian influenza is incurred mounting a response to outbreaks of animal disease however the monthly data requested is not held. The estimated cost of avian influenza outbreaks in England over recent years is: WhenWhat / WhereTotalNov 2014H5N8 (highly pathogenic), Driffield, Yorkshire£2.542mFeb 2015H7N7 (low pathogenic), Upham (Hampshire)£0.211mJuly 2015H7N7 (highly pathogenic), Preston (Lancashire)£1.440m During the ongoing H5N8 Avian Influenza outbreak APHA are typically deploying 120-160 personnel on a daily basis, drawn from across the veterinary, technical, science, administrative and managerial staff. These are supported by Defra policy and other contracted functions related to services such as culling and disposal.

Avian Influenza: Eggs

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release of 4 January 2017, Avian flu prevention zone extended, what plans she has to offer assistance or insurance protection to free range egg producers affected by the imposition of the avian influenza prevention zones.

George Eustice: The measures that are in place to tackle the threat to poultry from Avian Influenza are based on the current situation and the latest veterinary and ornithological advice. They represent the best option to control disease, protect birds’ welfare and minimise the impact on the free range industry, while ensuring that consumers can buy free range products. We will nonetheless keep all measures under review. Following the announcement on 24 February of a more targeted approach, most egg producers in England can now let their birds outside provided that they observe strict disease prevention measures. They can sell eggs as free range if they come from birds which meet all the other requirements for free range and are: (a) outside the Higher Risk Areas birds where birds are allowed into fenced outdoor areas providing clear biosecurity measures are undertaken; or (b) allowed into fully fenced areas which are fully covered by netting (inside or outside Higher Risk Areas). Government policy is not to compensate for consequential losses resulting from a disease outbreak. It is a business decision for producers as to whether to bear the cost of netting in order to continue to market as free range.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which agencies and organisations the Government plans to withdraw from when the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: The UK's formal and informal relationship with the EU's decentralised bodies will depend on the negotiations in each area outlined by the Prime Minister's speech. Any analysis of the UK's intended relationship with these bodies would presuppose the UK's preferred outcome and red lines in the negotiation, and Parliament has voted repeatedly not to disclose material that could damage the United Kingdom’s position in its negotiations with the European Union.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many officials of his Department are (a) secondees from other Departments, (b) new entrants to the Civil Service and (c) on short-term contracts.

Mr Robin Walker: All departments are equipping themselves with the resources they need to get the best deal for the UK. The department has sourced a large proportion of experienced staff from across Whitehall and a number of secondees from the private sector however we are not in a position to give a final total for particular groups of staff as recruitment is ongoing and we will not be giving a running commentary. The Department for Exiting the European Union now has over 300 staff, and is growing fast.

Department for Exiting the European Union: ICT

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how much his Department has spent on (a) iPads and tablets and (b) paper since it was established.

Mr Robin Walker: Information on expenditure on (a) ipads and tablets and (b) paper is not separately identifiable on the departmental accounting system. The Department was created in July 2016, so there was no expenditure in prior years.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Senior Civil Servants

Jon Trickett: To ask the Attorney General, what proportion of senior civil servants of the Law Officers' Departments are (a) men, (b) women, (c) disabled, (d) from working-class backgrounds and (e) from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Robert Buckland: The details below are in respect of members of the senior civil service in the Law Officer’s Departments that are (a) men, (b) women, (c) disabled, (d) from working-class backgrounds and (e) from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds as follows: 2016/17AGOGLDHMCPSICPS  SFOMen25%53.9%100%48%61.5%Women75%56.1%0%52%38.5%Disabled*0%9.2%0%1.5%0%Working class backgroundInformation not heldBAME*0%7.8%0%8.5%0% * Disability and BAME is declared by all staff on a voluntary basis and this data has been calculated using such declared information so these figures might not be wholly accurate.

Attorney General: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Attorney General, what the procurement spend of the Law Officers' Departments was in each year since 2010.

Robert Buckland: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 06 March 2017.The correct answer should have been:

The following figures, based on published accounts for the financial years from April 2010 to April 2016, show the procurement spend (all expenditure on goods, assets or services, not including expenditure relating to the remuneration of employees, non cash costs such as depreciation and local/national taxes such as rates and excluding any case settlement costs) for the Law Officers’ Departments. Figures for the financial year from April 2016- April 2017 are not yet available.   Value  (£000s)2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016GLD*52,300 49,53349,533 52,42652,426 47,07047,070 60,16760,167 70,64970,649 68,80468,804AGO1,800 1,5891,589 1,5201,520 1,4571,457 1,3481,348 1,4701,470 1,3541,354HMCPSI821 893893 1,0321,032 417417 409409 388388 419419CPS315,581 307,168274,816 270,597269,612 255,429244,121 252,916284,482 289,727347,658 258,876325,560SFO21,696m 21,69618,968m 18,96817,884m 17,88431,689m 31,68926,887m 26,88722,358m 22,35821,904m *The Treasury Solicitor’s Department until 31 March 2015.

Robert Buckland: The following figures, based on published accounts for the financial years from April 2010 to April 2016, show the procurement spend (all expenditure on goods, assets or services, not including expenditure relating to the remuneration of employees, non cash costs such as depreciation and local/national taxes such as rates and excluding any case settlement costs) for the Law Officers’ Departments. Figures for the financial year from April 2016- April 2017 are not yet available.   Value  (£000s)2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016GLD*52,300 49,53349,533 52,42652,426 47,07047,070 60,16760,167 70,64970,649 68,80468,804AGO1,800 1,5891,589 1,5201,520 1,4571,457 1,3481,348 1,4701,470 1,3541,354HMCPSI821 893893 1,0321,032 417417 409409 388388 419419CPS315,581 307,168274,816 270,597269,612 255,429244,121 252,916284,482 289,727347,658 258,876325,560SFO21,696m 21,69618,968m 18,96817,884m 17,88431,689m 31,68926,887m 26,88722,358m 22,35821,904m *The Treasury Solicitor’s Department until 31 March 2015.

Wales Office

Wales Office: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the procurement spend of his Department was in each year since 2010.

Guto Bebb: The Wales Office receives procurement services from the Ministry of Justice. We therefore do not hold the information that you have requested.

Local Growth Deals: Swansea Bay City Region

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will publish the dates of all meetings he has had with strategic partners on the proposed Swansea Bay City Region deal.

Alun Cairns: The UK Government is working constructively with local partners and the Welsh Government towards a city deal for the Swansea Bay city region. I have met regularly with the local team, key stakeholders and private sector partners to discuss progress. In recent months I have hosted meetings specifically on the City Deal on the following dates:1 September 2016;14 September 2016;7 November 2016;5 December 2016;6 December 2016;17 January 2017; and22 February 2017. Additionally, I have had a number of phone calls with strategic partners.

Wales Office: Brexit

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2017 to Question 64554, what discussions his Department had with the Department for Exiting the European Union on the drafting of the White Paper entitled The United Kingdom's exit from and new partnership with the European Union, Cm 9417, published in February 2017.

Alun Cairns: My Department continues to have regular discussions with the Department for Exiting the European Union to ensure our exit from the EU is a success. We are committed to working closely with the devolved administrations and stakeholders across the United Kingdom to build a stronger, fairer more global Britain.

Wales Office: ICT

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much his Department spent on (a) iPads and tablets and (b) paper in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Guto Bebb: The Wales Office purchased an iPad in May 2012 at a cost of £434 but has purchased no other iPads or tablets in the last five years. We do not hold information on how much the Department has spent on paper.

Ministry of Justice

Prisons: Drugs

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many reports of drug taking there have been in (a) HMP Wormwood Scrubs, (b) HMP Pentonville and (c) other prisons over the last 12 months.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The information requested is planned for routine publication by the Ministry of Justice and will be available in the Annual NOMS digest on www.gov.uk.

Charles Taylor

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether Charles Taylor is able to make phone calls from Durham Prison.

Mr Sam Gyimah: All prisoners are eligible to make phone calls to approved numbers for both social and legal purposes and are subject to appropriate security and monitoring arrangements. Legally privileged calls remain unmonitored in line with policy requirements.

Prison Officers Association

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she last met the leaders of the Prison Officers Association.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Secretary of State for Justice last met with the Prison Officers Association (POA) on 10th January 2017.

Legal Profession

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she last met the (a) President of the Law Society and (b) Chairman of the Bar.

Sir Oliver Heald: The Secretary of State met with both the President of the Law Society and the Chairman of the Bar on 19 January 2017.

Ministry of Justice: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the procurement spend of her Department was in each year since 2010.

Dr Phillip Lee: Information on the Ministry of Justice procurement spend is set out in our annual report for each year. These reports can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications

Homicide

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of (a) men and (b) women accused of murder were convicted in each of the last five years; and what the average length of sentence for murder was of each of those people so convicted in each of those years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates’ courts and found guilty of murder, in England and Wales, from 2011 to 2015 can be found in the ‘Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly: December 2015 which can be found on Gov.uk. Murder carries a mandatory life sentence. These sentences are specifically excluded from the average custodial sentence length calculation.

Prisons

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what her plans are for the (a) building of new prisons and (b) closure of prisons constructed in the Victorian period; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Sam Gyimah: We will close down ageing and ineffective prisons, replacing them with buildings fit for today’s demands. HM Prison Berwyn opened at the end of February this year, with a capacity of around 2,100 places. In addition, we will build up to 10,000 further prison places on a ‘new for old’ basis. We have applied for planning permission to redevelop the sites at HMP Wellingborough and HMP/YOI Glen Parva. We are currently considering sites for new prison places and will set out plans shortly. No further decisions have been taken on prison closures.

Cabinet Office

Tranmere Tunnels

Frank Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government owns the Tranmere Tunnels.

Ben Gummer: Holding answer received on 13 October 2016



Based on all evidence found, the Tranmere Tunnels were conveyed to the Ministry of Works in 1955 and we are to assume that no disposition occurred in the intervening years. The title now rests, through statutory devolution, with the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Government Departments: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much has been spent on central government procurement in each year since 2010.

Ben Gummer: Information on how much has been spent on central government procurement is set out in the annual reports on SME spend, which can be found at the following links:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/central-government-spend-with-smes-2014-to-2015https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/231994/SME_Two_Year_On_Report.pdfhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/departmental-spending-with-smes

Public Sector: Procurement

Frank Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many companies owned by tax exiles have been awarded public contracts in each of the last five years for which data is available; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Gummer: Information on the ownership of companies winning government contracts is not currently held centrally. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has established a register of people with significant control (PSC register). Companies, Societates Europaeae (SEs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) will be required to identify and record the people who own or control their company and must file the PSC information with the central public register at Companies House.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people from each other EU country are resident in the UK; and how many of those people have the right to remain from each of those countries.

Chris Skidmore: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Response to PQ66292
(PDF Document, 83.55 KB)